Liverpool Crown Court Sentencing Results

James Byrne, 24, was involved in planning and carrying out the targeted revenge attack on Jacqueline Rutter, 53, who was shot dead on her doorstep at her home in Meadow Brook, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022. The murder was revenge for the loss of a mobile phone used in the illegal drugs trade, following an incident where Jacqueline's sons took drugs, cash, and a mobile phone from Byrne. CCTV showed Byrne and Barrie Glynn arriving at the address in a black car minutes before the shooting. Byrne got out of the car and went to the front door, where he shot Jacqueline twice in the chest, killing her instantly. He then fled the scene.

Barrie Glynn, 47, was involved in planning and carrying out the targeted revenge attack on Jacqueline Rutter, 53, who was shot dead on her doorstep at her home in Meadow Brook, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022. The murder was revenge for the loss of a mobile phone used in the illegal drugs trade, following an incident where Jacqueline's sons took drugs, cash, and a mobile phone from James Byrne. CCTV showed Glynn arriving at the address in a black car with James Byrne minutes before the shooting. Glynn was a passenger in the vehicle used for the attack and involved in the subsequent arson.

David Harrison, 59, was involved in planning and carrying out the targeted revenge attack on Jacqueline Rutter, 53, who was shot dead on her doorstep at her home in Meadow Brook, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022. The murder was revenge for the loss of a mobile phone used in the illegal drugs trade, following an incident where Jacqueline's sons took drugs, cash, and a mobile phone from James Byrne. Harrison transported the other men before and after the murder and assisted in the clear-up operation, including the arson of the getaway vehicle.

Simon Allen, 55, was involved in planning and carrying out the targeted revenge attack on Jacqueline Rutter, 53, who was shot dead on her doorstep at her home in Meadow Brook, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022. The murder was revenge for the loss of a mobile phone used in the illegal drugs trade, following an incident where Jacqueline's sons took drugs, cash, and a mobile phone from James Byrne. Allen waited nearby with two other vehicles, a silver Ford and a Yamaha motorbike. After the shooting, he set the black car used in the attack on fire on a nearby street before fleeing the scene in the silver car.

Ibrahim Momen raped a man in his 20s in the early hours of Sunday, 29 June 2025, near Liverpool Cathedral on St James’ Mount. Police were called after the victim reported the assault. Following a swift investigation, Momen was arrested and charged with rape. He was found guilty at trial.

Adrian Waring, 35, raped an innocent and defenceless baby girl under the age of 12 months and filmed the attack. His offences included two counts of rape, six counts of making indecent photographs of a child, sexual assault, possession of extreme pornography, sexual activity with a living animal, and possession of cocaine.

Craig Middleton, 53, from Wirral, raped a woman aged in her 20s at two properties in Leeds in 2009. The case was part of a Merseyside Police investigation. He was convicted following a trial where he denied the offences.

On June 20, 2025, Nimalarajah Mathiyadaranam, aged 47, premeditatedly stabbed his estranged wife Nilani Nimalarajah, aged 44, to death in the shop where she worked, Low Cost Food and Wine on Stanley Road in Bootle. Motivated by anger over not being invited to a family celebration for his daughter's first menstrual period, he purchased a block of knives from Asda supermarket while disguised, stashed them in a JD Sports bag, travelled by bus to the area, and waited until the shop was empty. He entered around 5pm, stabbed her 18 times targeting her chest, head, abdomen, and other areas with a large knife, which snapped due to the ferocity of the merciless, sustained, and brutal attack. The assault was captured on CCTV, showing him dragging her, jabbing at her face and eyes, and manipulating the knife in her abdomen to ensure death. After the attack, he drank whisky and ingested pesticide in an attempt to poison himself. Their 17-year-old daughter witnessed the aftermath and called for help. Nilani suffered 14 stab wounds and four slash wounds, piercing her lung, heart, skull, and spine, and was pronounced dead at 5.53pm in hospital. Mathiyadaranam had prior convictions for violence and was under restraining orders prohibiting contact with Nilani and his eldest daughter due to previous harassment and assault.

On Friday 20 June 2025, Nimalarajah Mathiyaparanam, 47, of Warrington Road in Widnes, fatally stabbed his estranged wife, 44-year-old Nilani Nimalarajah, inside Low Cost Food and Wine on Stanley Road in Bootle, shortly after 5.05pm. Nilani suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to hospital but passed away a short time later. Mathiyaparanam was detained at the scene but ingested an unknown substance, becoming critically ill and requiring hospital treatment for several weeks before recovering. The incident was witnessed by members of the public during rush hour traffic.

Peter Langley killed his 77-year-old father, Alfred Langley, by inflicting a head injury at their home on Clipsley Lane in Haydock. The incident occurred on October 29, 2024, and was reported to Merseyside Police shortly after 10pm. Alfred was found dead inside the house. There was no history of domestic abuse in the family.

On July 22, 2025, Ryan Gee, 35, attended a probation appointment at The Pavilions in Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, while on supervision from a previous sentence. During the meeting with a female probation officer in her 30s and a male support officer, he armed himself with a large kitchen knife and an imitation black handgun from his rucksack. He stabbed the female officer in the shoulder and under her armpit, chased her to reception, and stabbed her again in the stomach, causing four wounds requiring surgery. He then locked himself in reception with a female receptionist, pointing the imitation firearm at her head while holding the knife, and stated he wouldn't harm her. He left a letter blaming another probation officer and had a notebook detailing his grievances. Police arrived quickly, tasered and arrested him after he said 'you're going to have to shoot me'. The victim received first aid and was discharged from Royal Preston Hospital on September 2, 2025, with permanent physical and severe psychological impacts.