Grandmother shot dead on own doorstep after sons ‘stole drug dealer’s phone’

Published 2 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
Jackie Rutter was fatally shot in the chest (Picture: Liverpool Echo/PA)

Three men have been found guilty of the murder of a grandmother who was killed outside her home in Wirral.

Jackie Rutter, 53, was killed at her doorstep on Meadowbrook Road in Moreton in October 2022.

James Byrne, Barrie Glynn, Simon Allen and David Harrison were found guilty today of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition.

David Harrison, 59, of Old Meadow Road in Pensby, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson.

A sixth person said to be involved in the killing, Preston Connolly, was not in the dock as he fled to Turkey in December 2023.

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Jackie’s murder ‘was revenge for the loss of a mobile phone used to supply an illegal drugs trade’, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.

Undated handout file photo originally issued on 30/10/23 by Merseyside Police of Jacqueline Rutter. Three men have been found guilty of the murder of the grandmother who was shot in her home. Jacqueline , 53, was shot in the chest in Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, at about 1am on October 30 2022. Simon Allen, 55, David Harrison, 59, and James Byrne, 24, were found guilty of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. Barrie Glynn, 47, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson. Issue date: Wednesday January 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
She was known as Judy to her family and friends (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

A few days before the shooting, Jackie’s sons had taken a mobile phone that Bryne and Connolly used to run a drug operation with.

Her sons also stole drugs and cash from men.

A Liverpool court heard how the three men pulled up outside Jackie’s home at 1am in a black Vauxhall Insignia car.

Bryne and Connolly got out of the back of the car and knocked on the victim’s door, while Allen provided reconnaissance beforehand.

Jackie was shot twice when she opened the door.

Glynn acted as the getaway driver, with Allen greeting the men at a road nearby with two other vehicles for the men to flee in.

Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of James Byrne, one of three men who have been found guilty of the murder of a grandmother who was shot in her home. Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest in Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, at about 1am on October 30 2022. Simon Allen, 55, David Harrison, 59, and James Byrne, 24, were found guilty of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. Barrie Glynn, 47, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson. Issue date: Wednesday January 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
James Byrne is one of three men who have been found guilty of the murder of Jackie (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Barrie Glynn. ,Three men have been found guilty of the murder of a grandmother who was shot in her home. Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest in Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, at about 1am on October 30 2022. Simon Allen, 55, David Harrison, 59, and James Byrne, 24, were found guilty of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. Glynn, 47, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson. Issue date: Wednesday January 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Barrie Glynn was found guilty today (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Simon Allen, one of three men who have been found guilty of the murder of a grandmother who was shot in her home. Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest in Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, at about 1am on October 30 2022. Simon Allen, 55, David Harrison, 59, and James Byrne, 24, were found guilty of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. Barrie Glynn, 47, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson. Issue date: Wednesday January 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Simon Allen set the getaway car on fire (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of David Harrison, one of three men who have been found guilty of the murder of a grandmother who was shot in her home. Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest in Moreton, Wirral, Merseyside, at about 1am on October 30 2022. Simon Allen, 55, David Harrison, 59, and James Byrne, 24, were found guilty of murder, arson and possession of firearms and ammunition at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said. Barrie Glynn, 47, was convicted of manslaughter, possession of firearms and ammunition and arson. Issue date: Wednesday January 28, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
David Harrison helped in the clear-up operation, the court heard (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA Wire)

Allen lit the black vehicle on fire and three of the men left in a silver car and one on a motorbike.

Byrne threw a bottle of Buxton water at Allen as they were led to their cells after the guilty verdicts were handed.

Allen attempted to lunge at his co-defendant, having to be pinned down by guards.

Harrison was seen shaking his head and bowing, while Glynn raised his eyebrows at his manslaughter conviction.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath said: ‘Our thoughts today are very much with the family of Jacqueline, who was known by them and her friends as Jackie.

‘Her family are completely devastated by what happened to the mother of six children and grandmother to five grandchildren and it has been heartbreaking for them to relive her final moments during this trial.

‘We only hope that the decision today after such a lengthy trial will bring some closure to Jackie’s family as her killers are brought to justice.’

The defendants will be sentenced tomorrow morning.

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