Mother and Two Adult Children Found Guilty of Doorstep Murder in Blackburn
A mother and her two adult children have been convicted of murdering a man on the doorstep of his own home in a shocking case that has rocked the community of Blackburn, Lancashire.
Guilty Verdicts at Preston Crown Court
Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Joanne Maxwell, aged 44, along with her son Liam Donlin and daughter Amie Clegg, were all found guilty of murdering Paul Scott in August 2024. The jury heard compelling evidence that detailed the events leading to the fatal attack on Mr Scott's doorstep.
Background to the Fatal Confrontation
The court learned that the murder stemmed from a violent altercation that occurred after Amie Clegg's 21st birthday party. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Joanne Maxwell had made repeated threats against Paul Scott and his friend Charlie Evans in the aftermath of this initial fight.
According to trial testimony, the defendants went to Mr Scott's property under the pretence of having found him seriously injured. This ruse allowed them to gain access to the victim before carrying out the fatal attack right on his doorstep.
Community Impact and Legal Proceedings
The murder has had a profound impact on the local community in Blackburn, where residents have expressed shock at both the brutality of the crime and the fact that it involved family members acting together. The case highlights disturbing dynamics within what appeared to be an ordinary family unit.
All three defendants will now face sentencing for their roles in the murder of Paul Scott. The judge is expected to consider the planned nature of the attack and the breach of trust involved when determining appropriate sentences for each family member.
This conviction represents a significant outcome for Lancashire Constabulary, whose investigation pieced together the sequence of events that led to Mr Scott's death. The police work involved gathering forensic evidence, witness statements, and digital communications that ultimately proved crucial to securing the guilty verdicts.
