Couple who executed dad in street in brutal murder are sentenced

A former couple who plotted the murder of dad-of-two before he was shot dead and doused in acid have been sentenced.

Yesterday (August 23), Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow were both found guilty of the murder of Liam Smith. Fulstow, 37, was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Both have today been handed life sentences, with Hillier ordered to serve a minimum of 33 years behind bars and Fulstow 30.

Michael 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.

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She did not go to the police but the pair instead decided to seek 'vigilante justice'. They plotted his death over a 10 month period before drug dealer Hillier made the trip to Kilburn Drive in Shevington to kill 38-year-old Liam.

After the killing he and Fulstow enacted an elaborate plan to avoid justice including making up false alibis. Just days later the couple went on holiday for a two-week trip to Jamaica.

After they returned home Hillier was arrested. Fulstow was treated as a witness at first but later became a suspect, after she repeatedly lied to officers during her interview.

Following a six week trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, jurors found Hillier and Fulstow unanimously guilty of murder. They also convicted Fulstow of perverting the course of justice.

We will be bringing you live updates as they are sentenced this morning, with the hearing due to get underway at 11am. Follow the blog below.

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