The night shattered for Jacqueline Rutter, known affectionately as Judy to those who loved her, with the brutal discharge of two gunshots. She opened her door to darkness and violence, falling victim to a chilling act of retribution.
The motive, revealed in court, wasn’t random malice, but a calculated revenge. It stemmed from a theft committed days earlier by her sons – the taking of a mobile phone crucial to a local drug operation, along with a quantity of drugs and cash.
A black Vauxhall Insignia silently arrived at her home just after 1:00 AM. Two men, James Byrne and Simon Connolly, emerged from the back, their intentions hidden as they approached the door. A third, Simon Allen, scouted the area, providing crucial surveillance.
The moment Jackie opened the door, her life was irrevocably altered. Two shots rang out, ending her life instantly. The carefully planned operation then shifted into a frantic escape.
Barrie Glynn waited as the getaway driver, ready to whisk the shooters away. Allen had arranged for additional vehicles to be waiting nearby, allowing Byrne and Connolly to disappear into the night.
In a desperate attempt to erase evidence, Allen set the black Insignia ablaze. The remaining men scattered, fleeing in a silver car and on a motorbike, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.
The courtroom witnessed a raw display of emotion as the verdicts were delivered. Byrne, in a moment of defiance, hurled a bottle of water at Allen. Allen then lunged at Byrne, restrained only by vigilant security guards.
Reactions varied among the convicted – Harrison shook his head in disbelief, Glynn subtly acknowledged his manslaughter conviction, while Allen struggled against his restraints. Each man faced the weight of their actions, and the consequences that were about to unfold.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath spoke of the profound loss felt by Jackie’s family – a mother of six and grandmother to five. The trial had forced them to relive the horrific final moments of her life, a pain that would likely linger for years to come.
The hope now rests on the forthcoming sentencing, a small measure of closure for a family shattered by senseless violence. It’s a stark reminder of how easily lives can be stolen, and the devastating ripple effects of criminal choices.
