Five to go on trial over murder of gran on the Wirral
Jacqueline Rutter was shot dead on her doorstep in Moreton in 2022
Four men accused of murdering a grandmother, who was shot to death in her Wirral home two and a half years ago, are to face trial in the autumn.
Jacqueline Rutter, 53, a nan-of-five, was shot in the chest on Meadowbrook Road, Moreton, at about 1 am on 30 October 2022.
Simon Allen, James Byrne, Barrie Glynn, 46, and David Harrison, 58, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from prison this morning for the first time charged with her murder and also possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Bail was formally refused for the men by the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary although no applications were made on their behalf by their counsel.
Glyn, of Westway, Heswall, who has a greying beard and long hair; white haired Harrison, of Old Meadow Road, Pensby, Byrne, 23 and Allen, 54, both of no fixed address, have all been further remanded in custody until July 11 when they are due to enter their pleas.
As well as the murder, firearm and ammunition offences Allen also faces a charge of arson involving a Vauxhall Insignia in Garden Hey Road, Moreton on October 30, 2022.
A fifth person - Anna McGinn, 25, of Larton Livery, Frankby Stiles, Birkenhead - who faces two charges of assisting an offender in relation to murder, also appeared at the hearing via video link from Styal Prison.
Her lawyer Stuart Nolan successfully applied for bail for her. Conditions include not contacting her co-accused and witnesses, surrender of her passport and not to enter any port or airport. McGinn wiped away tears and nervously played with her long auburn hair during the hearing,
The offences against her allege that on October 30, 2022 she assisted Byrne by driving him from Heswall to his home with intent to impede his arrest knowing or believing he was guilty of murder.
The second charge states she assisted another man, Preston Connolly, by driving him from Heswall to his home on the same date with intent to impede his arrest knowing or believing he was guilty of murder.
A date for their trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, was fixed to begin on October 6.