Wigan murder accused removed from court after interrupting judge
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The jury in the trial of Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow, both accused of the murder of Liam Smith, 38, in Shevington, retired to consider their verdicts shortly before 1pm on Tuesday August 22.
Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester has heard Mr Smith, an electrician, went on a date with Fulstow, 37, in 2019 when she has claimed they had “non-consensual sex” at a hotel.
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Hide AdHillier, 39, who has admitted manslaughter but denies murder, claims they plotted together to attack Mr Smith after Fulstow, who he was in a relationship with, told him she had been raped.
Summing up the case on Tuesday morning, Judge Maurice Greene reminded the jury of Fulstow’s evidence about sex with Mr Smith, which she said she did not consider to be rape.
Speaking from the dock, Hillier said: “It’s not sex, it’s rape.
“What sort of message does that send out? Sex is consensual, rape isn’t.”
He was removed from the dock by security officers.
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Hide AdBefore the jury was sent out to consider its verdict, Louise Blackwell, defending Hillier, said he apologised.
Judge Greene replied: “Emotions run high, as I’ve already mentioned.”
Earlier, he told the five men and five women on the jury they did “not really need to decide” what happened when Mr Smith met Fulstow.
He said: “As to what really happened on that night we will probably never know and it probably doesn’t matter.”