Family Revenge Stabbing: Life Sentences

0:00On March 20th, a mother and her two adult children have received life sentences for murdering a distant relative in a revenge stabbing outside his home in Blackburn. Joanne Maxwell, age 44, her son Liam Donnellan, age 25 and daughter Amy Clegg, age 22, were convicted of killing, 37-year-old Paul Scott. The judge called it a needless tragedy over a minor family dispute, with all three order to serve minimum terms before possible parole, 23. Years from Maxwell, 26 for Donnellan, and 20 for Clegg. The attack stemmed from bad blood after a brawl at a family party the year before. Maxwell held a grudge against Scott following the fight and the trio planned the assault together. Early on June 21st last year, they drove to his flat arm with knives, lured him to the door and stabbed him in the heart. Scott's family remembered him as a kind and compassionate man whose future was stolen away. They shared how his death left a huge void, robbing him of chances for marriage, kids, and old age with loved ones.

1:05The judge highlighted the lasting pain shown in victim statements read in court. During the trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year, the three denied murder charges. Only Donnellan testified, claiming he meant just to threaten Scott. Police found matching knives from their home at the scene, and evidence showed they filmed part of the attack to post online as a warning. This joint knife attack has forever changed two families, underscoring how grudges can turn deadly over something small.