Convicted Paedophile Among Trio Found Guilty of Grandmother's Doorstep Murder
Three men have been convicted for the October 2022 murder of 53-year-old grandmother Jackie Rutter, following over 15 hours of jury deliberations at Liverpool Crown Court. The verdicts were delivered on Wednesday, January 28, after a trial that revealed disturbing details about the defendants' backgrounds and the motive behind the killing.
Targeted Revenge Attack in Drug Dispute
The prosecution alleged that the shooting was a targeted revenge attack stemming from a dispute over drugs, rather than a case of mistaken identity. According to the case presented by Nigel Power KC, the incident occurred in the heat of a conflict where Ms Rutter's sons, Peter and Steven, were reportedly involved in stealing a mobile phone. This phone was allegedly used by James Byrne and another individual, Preston Connolly, to conduct their drug dealing operations as part of the so-called JJ Line.
Verdicts and Charges
After 15 hours and 15 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for murder against James Byrne, Simon Allen, and David Harrison. Barrie Glynn was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority of 10 to two. All four defendants were also unanimously convicted of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, as well as arson. The High Court judge presiding over the trial is set to pass sentence on Thursday.
Disturbing Background of Simon Allen
It has been revealed that one of the convicted murderers, Simon Allen, is a convicted child sex offender. Allen, 55, of no fixed address, has a history of serious offences:
- He was jailed in November 2023 for offences relating to indecent images of children, receiving a three-and-a-half-year sentence after downloading 250 indecent pictures and videos and distributing some to others.
- Previously, in 2015, he was jailed for similar offences and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
- Allen breached these conditions by travelling to the Netherlands with Byrne and Connolly without informing the police in advance.
- He also has previous convictions in the Netherlands for extreme pornographic images and drug offences.
During the trial, Allen admitted to other offences on his record related to the possession of firearms, dating back to 2003 and 2020, stating that he just found guns extremely nice to look at.
Tragic Loss of a Grandmother
Jackie Rutter was shot dead on her own doorstep at her home on Meadowbrook Road in Moreton, Wirral, in October 2022. The 53-year-old grandmother was described as an innocent victim caught in a violent dispute. The case has highlighted the devastating impact of drug-related violence on families and communities in Merseyside.
The convictions mark a significant step in seeking justice for Ms Rutter, as the legal process moves towards sentencing and closure for her loved ones.
