Three guilty of murdering Wirral grandmother Jacqueline Rutter
Three men have been convicted of the murder of Jacqueline Rutter, a Wirral grandmother, who was fatally shot on her doorstep.
Three men have been found guilty of the murder of Jaqueline Rutter.
The 53-year-old grandmother was shot twice in the chest after answering the door at her home on Meadowbrook Road, Moreton, on October 30, 2022.
Simon Allen, 55, of no fixed abode, James Byrne, 24, of no fixed abode, and David Harrison, 59, of Old Meadow Road, in Pensby, have today (January 28) been convicted of her murder, as well as arson and possession of firearms and ammunition, at Liverpool Crown Court.
Barrie Glynn, 47, of Westway, in Heswall has been convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson with intent to endanger life.
At around 1.00am, three men arrived at Jacqueline’s address in a black Vauxhall Insignia car. Two passengers got out of the back of the car and went to her front door. When she answered, she was shot twice.
The two men got back into the car which drove off and was later set alight in the Moreton area by Allen, who had been waiting with two other vehicles, a silver Ford and a Yamaha Motorbike. The four men then fled the scene, three in the silver car and one on the motorbike.
Merseyside Police said David Harrison was later involved in transporting the other men before and after the murder and assisted in the clear up operation.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said: “Our thoughts today are very much with the family of Jacqueline, who was known by them and her friends as Jackie. Her family are completely devastated by what happened to the mother of six children and grandmother to five grandchildren and it has been heart-breaking for them to relive her final moments during this trial.
“We only hope that the decision today after such a lengthy trial will bring some closure to Jackie’s family as her killers are bought to justice.
“Over the past three years since Jackie’s death our team have been determined to bring this case to court and see justice served. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the investigation team for their continued hard work and commitment and to the Crown Prosecution Service for the successful prosecution of the case.
“This case is yet another example of the dreadful results of taking weapons onto our streets and into our communities. We are committed in disrupting serious organised crime and we will take all necessary steps to make sure those suspected of carrying dangerous weapons are put before the courts.”
The sentencing will take place tomorrow (January 29) at 11.30am.