Family Sentenced to Life for Revenge Murder in Blackburn
A mother and her two adult children have been handed life sentences for the brutal murder of a relative, in what the judge described as a premeditated revenge attack over a perceived slight. Joanne Maxwell, 44, her son Liam Donlin, 25, and daughter Amie Clegg, 22, were convicted of plotting and carrying out the fatal stabbing of Paul Scott, 37, at his home in Blackburn last June.
The Tragic Events of June 21
On the evening of June 21, Maxwell and Clegg had been drinking in Blackburn before meeting Donlin, who had recently been released from prison and was dealing drugs that night. The trio took a taxi back to their family home in Darwen, Lancashire, where the driver overheard disturbing conversations. Donlin was heard saying, 'this lad's gonna get it' and 'I'm gonna teach him a lesson that he's never gonna forget.' Maxwell allegedly encouraged him, stating, 'You know we need to sort this out tonight, yeah, and it has to be sorted out tonight.'
Upon arriving home, they took four kitchen knives from a block and proceeded to Mr. Scott's residence. Clegg, who was acquainted with the victim, lured him to the front door while filming the approach on her brother's phone. When Mr. Scott answered, bare-chested, Donlin plunged a 20-centimeter kitchen knife into his chest, penetrating his heart.
Background of the Feud
The murder stemmed from a brawl at Clegg's 21st birthday party the previous year, where Maxwell and her partner had fought with Charlie Elliott, who was attending with Mr. Scott. In the following months, Maxwell made repeated threats against both men. Mr. Scott had expressed fears to his niece, saying, 'They're going to get me. You wait – they're going to get me.'
During the trial, Mr. Justice Bryan described Maxwell as the 'vengeful matriarch' who masterminded the ambush. He emphasized that the death was a 'needless tragedy over a very trivial sleight,' highlighting Mr. Scott's character as a kind and compassionate man with his whole life ahead of him.
Trial and Sentencing
All three defendants denied murder, with Donlin claiming he only intended to threaten Mr. Scott. Maxwell and Clegg provided no comment during police interviews and did not testify. After just three hours of deliberation, the jury found them guilty of murder, with the two women also convicted of possession of a bladed article—a charge Donlin had previously admitted.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum terms: Maxwell received 23 years, Donlin 26 years, and Clegg 20 years. The judge stated that Maxwell bore responsibility for encouraging her children to exact revenge, while he was satisfied that Maxwell and Clegg intended serious bodily harm rather than death. However, he concluded that Donlin intended to kill when he stabbed Mr. Scott.
Impact on the Victim's Family
In moving victim impact statements read in court, the lifelong impact on Mr. Scott's family was vividly portrayed. The judge noted, 'It has left a lifelong hole in so many family members,' underscoring the profound loss and the cruel nature of the crime. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of family violence and revenge-driven actions.
