Five people have been jailed for their part in the ‘revenge slaying’ of a woman deliberately run over and killed ‘over a £60 drug debt’.
Alison McBlain, 36, died from ‘terrible, unsurvivable injuries’ after being struck by a Fiat Punto and flung 42ft metres down the street on November 19, 2019.
Joshua Titterington, Karis Poynton, Dean Qayum and Kaylib Connolly were found guilty of her murder on Monday at Preston Crown Court.
A fifth defendant, John Chatwood, was found guilty of her manslaughter and a youth, who can not be identified for legal reasons, was cleared of all charges.
The court heard Alison and her friend Christian Rivers, 28, had ordered £60 worth of crack and heroin from a drug-dealing gang known as the ‘Bully Line, which they did not pay for.
The jury heard how, in revenge, the Punto, driven by Connolly, mounted the kerb and struck the pair shortly after 7.30pm.
Alison was pronounced dead two days later, having succumbed to her injuries while in hospital. Her family, including her 12-year-old son, were by her bedside.
The vehicle was found abandoned and partially burnt out a short time after the incident in Blackburn.
The five guilty parties were today jailed for a combined total of 78 and a half years.
Karis Poynton had seen Ms McBlain in a pharmacy and alerted the gang, knowing what they planned to do, the BBC reported.
This tipped off the killers, and it is believed Connolly was driving the vehicle while Qayum, Joshua Titterington and a 16-year-old boy were passengers.
John Chatwood was not in the cat but helped to organise the attack.
Connolly, 19, received life with a minimum term of 14 years for murder and attempted murder.
Qayum, 21, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years for the same offences.
Titterington, 27, was found guilty of murder and attempted GBH in relation to Mr Rivers and received life with a minimum term of 17 and a half years.
Poynton, 28, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 13 years for the same crimes.
Chatwood, 26, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Ms McBlain and not guilty of the attempted murder of the 28-year-old man. He was given a 14-year custodial custody.
The boy, 16, was cleared of all charges.
Speaking after the sentencing, DCI Lee Wilson said: ‘Alison McBlain – a mother, daughter and beloved friend to many – was deliberately run over and killed in a calculated, premeditated revenge slaying.
‘As a result of her death a 13-year-old boy has lost his mother, while her family and friends have been left utterly heartbroken.
‘They have also been put through the ordeal of a trial because the offenders refused to admit what they had done.
‘The pain caused to Alison’s loved ones cannot be overstated and they must be commended for showing great dignity throughout this whole difficult process.
‘We hope they can now take some comfort in knowing five people are behind bars.’
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