Four men have been handed lengthy prison sentences for the brutal doorstep murder of a 'loved' grandmother-of-five in a revenge attack orchestrated by a drugs gang in Merseyside. The cold-blooded killing of Jacqueline Rutter, affectionately known as 'Jackie', shocked the local community and has now resulted in substantial jail terms for those responsible.
Revenge Attack Over Stolen Mobile Phone
The fatal incident stemmed from what the court described as a 'taxing' - when Ms Rutter's sons allegedly stole a mobile phone used by the gang to sell drugs. This act left the criminal group feeling 'humiliated' and seeking retaliation against what they perceived as disrespect.
In the early hours of October 30, 2022, at approximately 1am, two masked men arrived at Ms Rutter's home in Moreton, Merseyside. They had been driven there in a stolen Vauxhall Insignia specifically to carry out the revenge attack on the 53-year-old mother-of-six.
Life Sentences Handed Down at Liverpool Crown Court
At Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, Mr Justice Goose presided over the sentencing of all four defendants involved in the horrific crime. James Byrne, 24, who fired the fatal shot into Ms Rutter's chest on her doorstep, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years before parole consideration.
Remarkably, Byrne was already serving a life sentence for an unrelated attempted murder conviction when he committed this additional violent crime. The judge described him as playing a 'leading role' in both the planning and execution of Ms Rutter's murder.
Additional Defendants Receive Substantial Sentences
Simon Allen, 55, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years for his involvement in the murder. David Harrison, 59, from Pensby on the Wirral, received a life sentence with a minimum of 26 years behind bars.
Barrie Glynn, 47, from Heswall on the Wirral, received a 30-year sentence for manslaughter rather than murder, along with convictions for possession of firearms and ammunition, and arson charges related to the case.
Victim Impact Statements Reveal Family Anguish
During the emotional court proceedings, Ms Rutter's daughter-in-law Jemma Rixon delivered a powerful victim impact statement directly addressing the defendants. As the partner of Ms Rutter's son Steven, she described Byrne as a 'pathetic coward' who targeted a vulnerable grandmother late at night.
'You picked on Jackie as an easy target. A grandmother, isolated, late at night. What a big man,' Ms Rixon told the court. 'We hope you rot in hell for what you have done to our beautiful Jackie.'
She added poignant details about the family's loss: 'Because of you all...Jackie's life was so cruelly cut short. She has been robbed of her future and will miss important milestones. You had no right to take her from us.'
Judge's Remarks on Motivation and Responsibility
While sentencing the defendants, Mr Justice Goose noted that the murder was planned specifically because the gang 'did not want to lose face' after the phone theft incident. The judge determined that Allen, Harrison and Glynn's participation stemmed from their drug addictions rather than exploitation by Byrne.
The court heard that another man, currently wanted by police, also played a significant role in planning the murder alongside Byrne. All three main defendants - Byrne, Allen and Harrison - were found guilty of murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and arson charges.
Tragic Context of the Victim's Life
Ms Rutter, described by her family as 'beautiful Jackie', was a lifelong drug addict whose final moments were marked by fear rather than the comfort of loved ones. Her murder represented one of four female victims of gun crime in the Merseyside area during 2022, highlighting ongoing concerns about firearms violence in the region.
'Jackie's final moments should have been surrounded by her loved ones telling her how much she was loved,' Ms Rixon told the court. 'Instead she died in fear.' The case has drawn attention to the devastating consequences of drug-related violence and the tragic human cost behind gang retaliations.
