Murder accused woman allegedly made online searches for victim’s house and business

A woman accused of murder allegedly made a number of online searches for the victim’s house and business before searching for ‘ambulance response times’.

Liam Smith, 38, was allegedly murdered on the evening of November 24 last year on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan by the then boyfriend of a woman he had a 'one night stand' with, who 'encouraged and 'assisted' the attack, prosecutors allege.

Mr Smith was fatally blasted 'probably from close range' before having sulfuric acid and then soda crystals poured on his face and body, causing his flesh to be 'burned away in those areas where the acid made contact with his skin', Minshull Street Crown Court previously heard.

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Michael Hiller, 39, from Sheffield, has admitted killing Mr Smith after pleading guilty to manslaughter, but he denies murder. Rachel Fulstow, 37, from York, denies murder, manslaughter and perverting the course of justice and the pair are standing trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

On day three of the trial, Charlotte Moore, a data analyst working for Greater Manchester Police, was asked to review internet searches, call logs and messages on both Ms Fulstow and Mr Hillier’s phones. Referring to the sequence of events, prosecutor Jason Pitter KC took Ms Moore and the jury through the document, highlighting a number of different entries.

On September 12 2019, a booking was made at the Radisson Hotel in York for Mr Smith and Ms Fulstow. She was employed by Radisson Hotel at the time, the court heard. Mr Smith paid for the booking, it was said.

On October 8 2021, Mr Hillier purchased a Glock 9mm blank firing pistol from a website, it is alleged.

The prosecution