'Liam will be waiting for you - scum!' Screams as couple who murdered dad in cold blood are jailed for life
24.08.2023 - 12:05
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The couple who murdered a dad in cold blood have been sentenced to life in jail today.
Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow were yesterday both found guilty of the murder of dad-of-two Liam Smith, 38, following a six-week trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.. Fulstow, 37, was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Today, at the same court, Judge Maurice Greene told Hillier and Fulstow they acted as 'judge, jury and executioner'. He added that they 'showed no remorse' following the murder. Both were handed life sentences, with Hillier ordered to serve a minimum of 33 years behind bars and Fulstow a minimum of 30.
Before Judge Greene sentenced the pair, a member of the public gallery shouted: "Kill yourself" and "Liam will be waiting for you" at the couple, while shouts of 'scum' could be heard in the courtroom.
As he was being led from the court, Hillier shouted back to the family of Liam Smith: "He's a rapist", leading to a number of people shouting 'evil', 'you should hang from a noose' and 'evil b***h'. Mr Smith's sister also responded: "You don't meet a rapist for dinner the next day."
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Hillier shot electrician Mr Smith in the face yards from his home in Wigan, before throwing sulphuric acid over his body. Hillier, 39, said he was acting in revenge after his girlfriend Fulstow alleged that she'd been raped by Liam years earlier during a Tinder date.
Following the murder, the couple enacted an elaborate plan to avoid justice that involved false alibis and a burnt out car. Days later, after the killing, they went on a two-week trip to Jamaica. But when they returned home, the net began to close and both were