Mother's Cry of 'Why's He Done That?' After Son's Revenge Stabbing Murder
A mother's shocked cry of 'Why's he done that?' was heard after her son stabbed a relative to death in a brutal revenge attack on his own doorstep. Joanne Maxwell, 44, was recorded saying 'He's just killed him' in apparent surprise following the planned killing carried out by her 25-year-old son Liam Donlin. The trio, including Maxwell's daughter Amie Clegg, 22, worked as a team to plot the murder of 37-year-old Paul Scott, a distant relative.
Planned Attack Filmed for Social Media Warning
In the early hours of June 21 last year, the three left their home armed with knives and drove to Mr Scott's flat in Blackburn. They lured him out amid ongoing 'beef' between Maxwell and the victim. As Mr Scott answered the door bare-chested, Donlin plunged a 20cm kitchen knife into his heart. The attack was deliberately filmed on a mobile phone so it could be posted on social media as a warning, Preston Crown Court heard during the trial.
Clegg, who was friendly with Mr Scott, played a key role by luring him to the front door and filming the approach on her brother's phone. As Mr Scott approached, she was heard saying 'Don't actually stab him.' However, the fatal stabbing proceeded as planned. Maxwell was described as having masterminded the murder plot, which stemmed from a perceived sleight following a brawl at a family gathering to mark Clegg's 21st birthday the previous year.
Months of Threats and a Tragic Prediction
During the altercation at the birthday party, Maxwell and her partner had fought with another man who was attending with Mr Scott. In the months that followed, Maxwell made numerous threats towards both men. Mr Scott tragically predicted his own fate, telling his niece 'They're going to get me. You wait - they're going to get me.' His fears were realized in the violent doorstep attack.
After Mr Scott lay bleeding to death on his kitchen floor, Clegg made a 999 call, giving a false name and claiming they had visited the flat and found him already injured. Police later discovered two knives matching those missing from a set at the family home in the kitchen sink, and a third knife on the back seat of Maxwell's car.
Trial and Emotional Sentencing
In January, Maxwell, Donlin, and Clegg sat side by side in the dock at Preston Crown Court facing murder charges. All three denied the allegation, but only Donlin took to the witness box to give evidence, claiming he had only intended to threaten Mr Scott when he went armed with a knife. Maxwell and Clegg gave no comment during police interviews and did not testify at their trial.
After just three hours of deliberations, the jury found all three guilty of murder, with the two women also convicted of possession of a bladed article—a charge Donlin had admitted earlier. On sentencing day, Mr Justice Bryan stated: 'The death of Paul Scott is a needless tragedy over a very trivial sleight. The lifelong impact on all Paul's family is vividly shown in the moving victim impact statements read in court.'
He emphasized that Mr Scott was a kind, compassionate man with his whole life ahead of him, whose opportunities for marriage, children, and aging with loved ones were cruelly stolen. The judge described the murder as a joint enterprise stabbing, with all three aware an attack with knives was planned.
Life Sentences Handed Down
Maxwell, Donlin, and Clegg were each sentenced to life in prison, with minimum terms of 23 years, 26 years, and 20 years respectively. Mr Scott's family had earlier described him as 'the kindest soul' whose life was taken away by 'these monsters.' The case highlights the devastating consequences of family feuds escalating into premeditated violence, leaving a permanent void for those left behind.
