Heywood man sentenced to life in prison for murder of John Kinsella

A Heywood man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering John Kinsella, who died after being shot in Merseyside last year.

Steven Boyle, 36, of Heywood, was found guilty of Kinsella’s murder after appearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday (16 January), but cleared of murdering Paul Massey, who was shot dead at his home address in Clifton in July 2015.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119340/man-from-heywood-charged-with-murder-of-paul-massey-and-john-kinsella

Boyle’s co-accused, Mark Fellows, 38, of Warrington, Cheshire, was found guilty of murdering both Massey and Kinsella following a six-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Fellows received an indefinite life sentence, with Boyle told he would serve life with a minimum of 33 years.

Kinsella, 53, died after being shot whilst walking his dog with his partner on a footpath, near to the St Helen's Linkway and the M62 motorway in Rainhill, Merseyside, at 7am on Saturday 5 May 2018.

According to the BBC, Boyle had acted as a 'spotter', playing a 'crucial supporting role' in Kinsella's murder and the jury had held him 'jointly responsible' for the killing.

Both Fellows and Boyle were acquitted of the attempted murder of Kinsella's partner, Wendy Owen.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker said: “I’m pleased with the sentence both men have received and hope that this goes some way to giving all those involved some closure.

“However, I am under no illusion that the Kinsella family themselves have also been handed a lifelong sentence, including John and Wendy’s new born baby, who will now sadly grow up without a father.

“Over the course of a lengthy trial, we have seen evidence given by a number of professionals, members of the public and members of both John Kinsella and Paul Massey’s families; who today can pride themselves in knowing that they have all been extremely valuable in this investigation and bringing two very dangerous men to justice.

“No human being, regardless of their past, should lose their lives through such a brutal and premeditated attack.

“As a result of their actions, Fellows and Boyle caused the public to feel unsafe in the Salford and St Helens areas for some time and I’m hoping we can now work alongside our communities to rebuild the trust and security that has been so cruelly taken away.

“My continued support remains with John Kinsella’s partner, Wendy Owen and I want to take this opportunity to praise her for her bravery for both working with us during the investigation and giving evidence in court. She is a credit to John and I am sure that he’d be very proud of her.

“I want to also thank the investigative work of both Merseyside and GMP officers as well as the Crown Prosecution Service who together have worked painstakingly to piece together CCTV, carry out forensic analysis and use good old fashioned policing in order identify and bring these men to justice.

“As a force, we’ll continue to tackle gun crime to ensure dangerous weapons are taken off our streets. Anyone that has information or believes this sort of crime to be taking place in their area is urged to contact police, or in an emergency, always call 999.”

• www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-46902706