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01/12/2005
Racist killers jailed for life
Two cousins have been jailed for life for the racist murder of Liverpool teenager Anthony Walker.
Paul Taylor, 20, from Huyton, Merseyside, was told he must serve at least 23 years eight months in prison.
Michael Barton, 17, also from Huyton, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months.
Taylor had pleaded guilty to Anthony’s murder at the beginning of the trial. He admitted hitting the eighteen-year-old in the head with an ice axe, causing his death.
Barton, who had denied charges of murder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, was found guilty yesterday on the grounds that he had supplied the weapon and started the initial confrontation.
Anthony was murdered in McGoldrick Park, Merseyside, in July. During Barton’s trial, the court heard how Anthony, his cousin Marcus Binns and girlfriend Louise Thompson, suffered racial abuse from Barton at a bus stop.
They left the bus stop and walked through McGoldrick Park, but Taylor and Barton drove ahead of them and ambushed the trio in the park. Both Marcus and Louise were able to run away, but Anthony was attacked. When he was found, the ice axe was still embedded in his head.
Sentencing, Mr Justice Leveson said: “This was a racist attack of a type poisonous to any civilised society. In spite, of your youth, deterrent sentences are vital.”
Both Taylor and Barton faced sentences of up to 30 years in jail, because the murder was judged to be racially motivated. Taylor received a lesser sentence, due to his guilty plea, while Barton, who automatically would have received a lesser sentence because of his age, and because he said he had not intended to kill Mr Walker.
However, the judge said that he was jointly responsible for the murder, because it had been a joint decision to bring the ice axe to the park.
An investigation has been launched after racist graffiti was discovered at the scene of Anthony’s murder, shortly after Barton was found guilty. Merseyside Police have appealed for information.
(KMcA/SP)
Paul Taylor, 20, from Huyton, Merseyside, was told he must serve at least 23 years eight months in prison.
Michael Barton, 17, also from Huyton, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months.
Taylor had pleaded guilty to Anthony’s murder at the beginning of the trial. He admitted hitting the eighteen-year-old in the head with an ice axe, causing his death.
Barton, who had denied charges of murder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, was found guilty yesterday on the grounds that he had supplied the weapon and started the initial confrontation.
Anthony was murdered in McGoldrick Park, Merseyside, in July. During Barton’s trial, the court heard how Anthony, his cousin Marcus Binns and girlfriend Louise Thompson, suffered racial abuse from Barton at a bus stop.
They left the bus stop and walked through McGoldrick Park, but Taylor and Barton drove ahead of them and ambushed the trio in the park. Both Marcus and Louise were able to run away, but Anthony was attacked. When he was found, the ice axe was still embedded in his head.
Sentencing, Mr Justice Leveson said: “This was a racist attack of a type poisonous to any civilised society. In spite, of your youth, deterrent sentences are vital.”
Both Taylor and Barton faced sentences of up to 30 years in jail, because the murder was judged to be racially motivated. Taylor received a lesser sentence, due to his guilty plea, while Barton, who automatically would have received a lesser sentence because of his age, and because he said he had not intended to kill Mr Walker.
However, the judge said that he was jointly responsible for the murder, because it had been a joint decision to bring the ice axe to the park.
An investigation has been launched after racist graffiti was discovered at the scene of Anthony’s murder, shortly after Barton was found guilty. Merseyside Police have appealed for information.
(KMcA/SP)
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04 August 2005
Three questioned over Walker murder
Police have arrested another man in connection with the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker. A 23-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on Thursday and is being questioned by police. Two men who were arrested at John Lennon Airport on Wednesday night are also still being questioned.
Three questioned over Walker murder
Police have arrested another man in connection with the murder of black teenager Anthony Walker. A 23-year-old man from Huyton was arrested on Thursday and is being questioned by police. Two men who were arrested at John Lennon Airport on Wednesday night are also still being questioned.
01 July 2008
Barton Sentenced For Training Ground Assault
Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been given a four-month suspended sentence for attacking a former teammate during a training ground row. In May 2007, the 25-year-old midfielder repeatedly punched his then Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo as the victim lay on the ground.
Barton Sentenced For Training Ground Assault
Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been given a four-month suspended sentence for attacking a former teammate during a training ground row. In May 2007, the 25-year-old midfielder repeatedly punched his then Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo as the victim lay on the ground.
20 May 2008
Premiership Midfielder Barton Jailed For Attack
A Premiership footballer has been sentenced to a jail term for assault and affray. Joey Barton, 25, of Widnes, has been jailed for six months for his part in an altercation outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool last December.
Premiership Midfielder Barton Jailed For Attack
A Premiership footballer has been sentenced to a jail term for assault and affray. Joey Barton, 25, of Widnes, has been jailed for six months for his part in an altercation outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool last December.
30 November 2005
Teenager found guilty of axe murder
A 17-year-old has been found guilty of the murder of teenager Anthony Walker. Michael Barton, from Huyton, Merseyside, had denied murdering the 18-year-old, as well as charges of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was found guilty on Wednesday at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.
Teenager found guilty of axe murder
A 17-year-old has been found guilty of the murder of teenager Anthony Walker. Michael Barton, from Huyton, Merseyside, had denied murdering the 18-year-old, as well as charges of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was found guilty on Wednesday at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.
10 May 2006
Three sentenced for aiding Walker killers
Three people who helped the killers of 18-year-old Anthony Walker have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court. Paul Taylor, 20, and Michael Barton, 17, were jailed for life last year for the racist murder of the teenager. Anthony died after he was attacked with an ice axe in McGoldrick Park, Huyton, Merseyside last July.
Three sentenced for aiding Walker killers
Three people who helped the killers of 18-year-old Anthony Walker have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court. Paul Taylor, 20, and Michael Barton, 17, were jailed for life last year for the racist murder of the teenager. Anthony died after he was attacked with an ice axe in McGoldrick Park, Huyton, Merseyside last July.
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