Richard Littler KC secures convictions in multi-handed murder trial
February 9, 2026
Richard Littler KC from Exchange Chambers has successfully prosecuted a multi-handed murder trial at Preston Crown Court.
Paul Scott, 37, was attacked at his home in Peridot Close, Blackburn, on 22 June 2025 by Liam Donlin, while his sister Amie Clegg filmed the stabbing on Snapchat.
Donlin, 25, Clegg, 22, and their mother Joanne Maxwell, 44, were convicted of murder following a 13-day trial.
The trio will be sentenced on 20 March.
The siblings, along with their mother, planned to attack Mr Scott and another man, as revenge, after Maxwell was involved in an altercation in September 2024. Mr Scott had been present at the time of the altercation, but his only involvement was attempting to split it up.
Arming themselves with knives, they arrived at Mr Scott’s home shortly after 3am where Clegg lured him to the front door. She then stepped back and began filming as Mr Scott answered the door and was stabbed by Donlin.
The three were arrested and later charged with Mr Scott’s murder. Donlin initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article and not guilty to murder, and Maxwell and Clegg both pleaded not guilty.
However, a jury found all three guilty of murder. Maxwell and Clegg were also found guilty of possession of a bladed article.
Following the verdict, Mr Scott’s family issued the following statement:
“The past seven months have been the most challenging time our family has ever had to endure. A family’s worst nightmare.
“Our beloved Paul Scott was taken from us in an unimaginable act of cruelty. Set upon by a mother, her daughter and her son. A trio of evil attacked, killed and filmed Paul’s last moments in the dead of night on his own doorstep.
“Over this three-week trial we have been forced to relive this twisted nightmare in horrific detail.
“It’s been a long road towards justice for Pauly.
“We, as a family would like to thank everybody involved in securing today’s convictions.
“We would like to say a special thank you to the Prosecuting Counsel – Mr Richard Littler and Mr Simon Driver.
“A notable thanks also goes to Detective Supt. John McNamara, DI Tristan Hardwick and DS Craig Charnock and to the wider team at Lancashire Constabulary, and to our incredibly supportive Family Liaison Officers Louise Rigby and Alana Butterworth.
“We would also like to thank our family and friends and importantly the wider public for all the love and support for Paul. It sincerely means a lot to all of us.”
Det Supt John McNamara of Lancashire Police said: “Liam Donlin may have been the person to fatally stab Paul, but he was not his only murderer.
“Joanne Maxwell incited Donlin to kill after she was involved in an altercation almost a year prior whilst Donlin was still in prison for previous offences. Amie Clegg lured Paul to the front door, knowing that he was afraid of what her brother and mum may do to him then filmed his murder on Donlin’s phone.
“My, and the team’s thoughts remain with Paul’s family today. They have had to endure a trial listening to what happened in Paul’s final moments, and hearing and seeing evidence of the three planning to kill him. Paul knew his attackers – he was distantly related to Donlin and Clegg, and I acknowledge that this makes going through a trial all the more devastating for his loved ones.
“I welcome the guilty verdict and thank the jury for their careful consideration.”
