A member of Jackie Rutter’s family spoke out today after the mum-of-six’s killers were sentenced
Jackie Rutter was shot dead at her Meadowbrook Road home on October 30 2022
A family member of a nan was shot dead on her doorstep condemned one of her killers after he was sent behind bars this afternoon. James Byrne, along with Simon Allen and David Harrison were yesterday found guilty of the murder of Jackie Rutter, while Barrie Glynn was convicted of manslaughter.
The 53-year-old victim, a mum-of-six and nan-of-five, was shot inside her own home on Meadowbrook Road in Moreton, back in October 2022. Four men have been on trial at Liverpool Crown Court over the past three months accused of her murder.
The prosecution’s case alleged the shooting was motivated by an apparent “robbery” or “taxing”, in which Jackie’s sons reportedly stole a mobile phone which Byrne and another man, Preston Connolly, had been using to conduct their drug dealing business as part of the “JJ Line”. These two men were then said to have carried out the shooting the following day as Glynn acted as their getaway driver.
Allen meanwhile torched the stolen car used by killers, having seemingly performed reconnaissance missions on key locations earlier the same evening. Harrison’s home was allegedly used as a base of operations on the night in question.
Returning to the same court in order to be sentenced today, Byrne was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years behind bars. Allen and Harrison were similarly handed life imprisonments, being ordered to serve at least 28 and 26 years behind bars before becoming eligible for release.
Glynn was meanwhile jailed for 30 years, of which he must serve at least two thirds behind bars before he can be freed from prison. One of the defendants was heard to say “joke” as they were led from the dock to the cells.
Jackie Rutter was shot dead at her Meadowbrook Road home on October 30 2022(Image: Jackie Rutter)
Speaking outside court this afternoon after the verdicts were handed down, Jemma Rixon, Jackie’s daughter-in-law, spoke briefly as she condemned Bryne’s actions.
Jemma said: “Justice for Jackie. And James Byrne, (I) hope you rot in hell for what you’ve done to our Jackie.”
Speaking alongside Jemma, DCI Steve McGrath from Merseyside Police said: “Jackie, as her family and friends called her, was a mum of six and grandmother of five who was fatally shot and killed in her own home, where she had every right to feel safe.
“The callous actions of James Byrne, Simon Allen and David Harrison that night, firing at their victim at close range as she opened the front door, just shows how violent and calculated this murder was. As a result of their reckless actions. Jackie’s family and friends were left devastated by this loss.
“Today, all four convicted men are behind bars where they rightly belong and where I hope they’ll spend their time considering the impact of their actions.
DCI Steve McGrath of Merseyside Police and Jemma Rixon, daughter-in-law of Jackie Rutter, speaking outside Liverpool Crown Court today(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“I hope too that this result brings Jackie’s family some small amount of comfort and that it serves as a deterrent to anyone carrying a gun in Merseyside.
“Our officers remain committed to removing guns and those who choose to store, carry and use them from the streets of Merseyside.
“Finally, I would just like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and our officers and staff from Merseyside Police who’ve been involved in this case for the past three years.
“I’d like to thank them for their dedication and hard work, which has been key to the investigation and allowed us to successfully prosecute Byrne, Allen, Harrison and Glynn, and get justice for Jackie and her family.”
The prosecution’s case alleged the shooting was motivated by an apparent “robbery” or “taxing”, in which Ms Rutter’s sons reportedly stole a mobile phone which Byrne and another man, Preston Connolly, had been using to conduct their drug dealing business as part of the “JJ Line”.
These two men were then said to have carried out the shooting the following day as Glynn acted as their getaway driver.
Allen meanwhile torched the stolen car used by killers, having seemingly performed reconnaissance missions on key locations earlier the same evening. Harrison’s home was allegedly used as a base of operations on the night in question.
A fifth defendant, Anna McGinn, was charged with assisting an offender in connection with the fatal shooting, having driven Byrne and her then boyfriend Connolly home in the aftermath. But the latter was not present in the dock, having previously fled the country for Turkey. McGinn was cleared of assisting an offender.
Byrne, Allen and Harrison were unanimously convicted of Jackie’s murder on Wednesday, while Glynn was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to one. All four were also unanimously found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and arson.
