The killer tells the victim’s family “Your boy is a rapist” as he and his girlfriend are sentenced to a combined 63 years in prison for the “brutal and cold blood” acid murder of the father of two after he claimed he had her sexually abused

A killer who shot an electrician in the face and then doused him with acid taunted his victim’s family one last time, telling them from the dock “Your boy is a rapist” while he was sentenced to life in prison.

Drug dealer Michael Hillier tracked down 38-year-old Liam Smith at his home in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on November 24 last year as part of a depraved assassination plot he and girlfriend Rachel Fulstow hatched.

Hillier, 39, said he acted in revenge after his girlfriend Fulstow lied about being raped by Mr Smith after a Tinder date three years earlier in September 2019.

She did not go to the police, instead the two decided to achieve “vigilante justice” by plotting Mr Smith’s death over a ten-month period.

Yesterday the two were convicted of murder by a jury and appeared again today at Minshull Street Cown Court in Manchester, where they were sentenced to life imprisonment.

As the pair were shot down, Mr Smith’s sister Gemma yelled from the bleachers: “You lying, murderous bitch.” “Liam has done nothing wrong, he is completely innocent.”

But as he walked out of the dock, Hillier said in handcuffs, “Your boy is a rapist.”

Liam Smith, 38, was shot in the face and then doused in acid outside his home in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on November 24 last year

Rachel Fulstow, 37, who committed the insane assassination attempt with her ex-partner Michael Hilliard, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 30 years

Michael Hillier, 39, (pictured) has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 33 years for the murder of Mr Smith

Mr Smith’s family shouted “monsters” as the couple left the dock after Fulstow, who was also found guilty of perverting justice, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 30 years at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday .

Hillier was imprisoned for life and will serve at least 33 years.

At trial, Fulstow was found to have met Mr Smith in York in 2019.

She said they had “non-consensual sex” at a hotel but did not describe it as rape and the couple had lunch the next day.

Mr Smith’s family vigorously denied the allegations against him and at one point during the trial, after a fit of anger, the judge evacuated the public gallery.

Hillier, of Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, told the court that in early 2022 his then-girlfriend told him in a “graphic” report that she had been “raped” by Mr Smith and that together they had decided “to go down the path of to take justice into their own hands”. ‘seek justice’.

Judge Maurice Greene convicted the couple, saying whatever happened that night appeared to be the underlying motive for the attack.

He said, “It was decided between you that you would exact your own revenge.”

“They both decided to act as judge, jury and executioner.”

He described the murder as “brutal and cold-blooded”.

Michael Hillier, 39, (pictured) admitted to the negligent murder of 38-year-old electrician Liam Smith, but a jury yesterday convicted him of murder

Rachel Fulstow, 37, (pictured) from Andrew Drive, York, told the court she met Mr Smith in September 2019 after they met through dating app Tinder. She was convicted of his murder yesterday

Mr Smith’s body was discovered on November 24, 2022 in a village on the outskirts of Wigan

The judge turned to the Fulstow University graduate and said it was “almost incomprehensible” that she behaved in this way.

He added: “Whatever happened between you and Liam Smith can never be a justification for what you and Michael Hillier did.”

Hillier, who said he was involved in the production and distribution of a large-scale cannabis operation, had admitted driving to Mr Smith’s home on Kilburn Drive in Shevington on November 24 and waiting outside in a Mitsubishi Shogun with false number plates .

Just before 7pm, he lured Mr Smith out of the house and shot him with a modified shotgun, pouring acid and then soda crystals over him, the court learned.

Fulstow claimed she was unaware of the attack until Hillier arrived at her home in Andrew Drive, York, and was “petrified” to go to the police.

But the court learned that the couple went on vacation to Jamaica together in the days following the murder.

In a statement read in court, Mr Smith’s mother, Julia Smith, said he was a “devoted father” to his sons, aged 11 and 14, and a “gentleman”.

Mr Smith’s family shouted “yes” and “thank you very much” before sobbing and hugging as the jury found both defendants guilty of murder on Wednesday

Last year police were photographed at the scene on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan, Greater Manchester

Police said his body may have been covered with “dangerous substances”.

She told the court, “We will never be able to fill this huge void that has been left in our lives.”

Louise Blackwell KC, defending Hillier, said he would not have carried out the attack were it not for his drug addiction and the influence of Fulstow.

She said: “Obviously Mr Hillier took the lead in the sense that he carried out the acts but he was under pressure from Fulstow.”

Fulstow representative Howard Bernstein said the evidence against them showed their role was to provide information about Mr Smith and to provide Hillier with an alibi.

However, he said the evidence did not contradict her ignorance that her co-defendant possessed a gun and acid.

In a statement read in court by Detective Inspector Lee Shaw, Liam Smith’s family said, “Liam was more than just family to us.” He was our rock, our Liam.

“He had the biggest and kindest soul and would literally do anything for anyone.”

CCTV shows Michael Hillier outside Liam Smith’s home before the murder

The case has been adjourned for tomorrow’s sentencing. Pictured: Forensic teams examine the crime scene in Shevington, Wigan after the body of Mr Smith was found

“We always wonder why did this happen to Liam?” Why must his two sons now live with the knowledge that their loving father was taken from them in the most barbaric of circumstances?

They added: “His name was stained during this process and it wasn’t him.” It’s not our Liam. He was denied the opportunity to publicly clear his name. ‘

Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said Liam Smith’s name was “stained” and “forged” during the trial.

She said: “Liam was unable to defend himself throughout the process, which made it even more heartbreaking for his family.”

“During the trial, none of the defendants showed any sign of remorse, nor did they realize the magnitude of their actions and the impact on Liam’s family and ultimately his two sons.”

“I am relieved that the jury was convinced of the indictment, saw through their lies and deception, and ultimately resulted in a very long prison sentence.”