Two people have been found guilty of the murder of Liam Smith in November last year
Liam’s body was discovered by a member of the public on Kilburn Drive in Wigan on the evening of Thursday 24 November after he was subject to a fatal gunshot wound and an acid attack.
Michael Hillier aged 39 of Ecclesall Road, Sheffield and his ex girlfriend Rachel Fulstow aged 37 of Andrew Drive, Huntington has both been found guilty of murder.
Hillier admitted manslaughter but denied murdering the electrician, telling Minshull Street Crown Court he and his girlfriend both planned to attack Mr Smith after Fulstow claimed he had raped her on a tinder date three years earlier
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Our investigation team have worked tirelessly over the past 9 months to find answers for Liam’s family and hopefully the decisions in court today will give them some form of closure.
“This case has shown a number of complexities throughout, with Liam’s name being tainted in the process, and him not being here to defend himself against accusations have been really difficult for the family to hear in court.
“I would like to thank our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service and Prosecution Counsel who have helped secure this outcome.
“Our thoughts, as always, remain with Liam’s family through this devastating time.”
