Trial
Michael Barton and his cousin Paul Taylor were sent for trial at Preston Crown Court. Taylor pleaded guilty to murder and Barton, who denied the same charge, was convicted of the killing on the grounds he supplied the weapon and started the confrontation.
On 30 November 2005, Taylor and Barton were found guilty of the racially motivated murder of Walker. They were sentenced the following day.
Following the trial judge Mr Justice Leveson's recommendation of a minimum sentence, Taylor, who had delivered the fatal blow, received a minimum of 23 years and 8 months in prison; while Barton, who had supplied the axe, received a minimum of 17 years and 8 months.
Taylor is expected to remain in prison until at least August 2028 and the age of 43. Barton is expected to remain behind bars until at least August 2023 and the age of 35.
Passing sentence, Mr. Justice Leveson said that the cousins had perpetrated a "terrifying ambush" and a "racist attack of a type poisonous to any civilised society".
Read more about this topic: Murder Of Anthony Walker
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