A tragic incident unfolded as a grandmother was fatally shot in her own residence following an alleged theft involving her sons and a drug dealer’s phone. The court proceedings revealed that Jackie Rutter, aged 53, lost her life when confronted by armed individuals at her residence in the Wirral, Merseyside. The prosecution describes the event as a deliberate act of retribution that occurred in October 2022.
Charged with her murder are Simon Allen, James Byrne, Barrie Glynn, and David Harrison, who are currently facing trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Another defendant, Anna McGinn, is accused of aiding an offender related to the shooting that transpired three years ago.
According to reports from the Liverpool Echo, the defendants deny charges including murder, manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition with intent, and arson linked to a stolen vehicle. McGinn, residing in Frankby Stiles, Frankby, has pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding an offender.
During the prosecution’s opening statements, it was emphasized that the attack on Jackie Rutter was not a case of mistaken identity but a deliberate act driven by a drug-related dispute. The court will review CCTV footage showing individuals arriving at Rutter’s residence in a stolen Vauxhall Insignia before the tragic event unfolded. The individuals involved in the shooting quickly fled the scene in the same vehicle, which was later set ablaze.
The primary suspects, James Byrne and Preston Connolly, sought revenge due to a prior incident where the drug dealer’s phone was allegedly taken by Rutter’s sons. Connolly, a key figure in the case, fled the country following the incident. The involvement of other individuals like Barrie Glynn, Simon Allen, and David Harrison, who were part of the drug business linked to the shooting, will be further scrutinized during the trial.
The trial, presided over by Mr. Justice Goose, is ongoing and expected to last between six to eight weeks.