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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Williams, Garner and Morson sentenced for helping Anthony Walker's murderers escape the country

Williams, Garner and Morson sentenced for helping Anthony Walker's murderers escape the country

10/05/2006

Three people who helped Michael Barton and Paul Taylor flee the country in an attempt to escape justice after they murdered Anthony Walker have today been made to face justice themselves, said Colin Davies, head of CPS Merseyside's serious and organised crime unit.

Mr Davies said: "The speed with which Barton and Taylor were able to leave the country and the level of support they received showed a disregard, not only for the legal process, but for the people affected by their crime."

During their flight from justice, Barton and Taylor received the use of a car - in which they left the country - from Paul Morson. Once in the Netherlands, they were met by Robert Williams and Tracy Garner, who had flown out specifically to meet them.

Mr Davies said: "They provided cash and booked a hotel for the two suspects. Together, these three people gave Barton and Taylor the means to escape the country delaying the justice they deserved.

"When Williams and Garner travelled to the Netherlands they showed that they were willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure two suspected offenders could avoid justice. Under the misguided idea of helping friends, they acted in a manner which assisted the two killers of Anthony Walker to escape their early arrest for the brutal crime they had committed.

"Justice relies on each member of society. Williams, Garner and Morson ignored that responsibility. The public repulsion to this crime, demonstrated not only in Merseyside but throughout the country, was not felt by these people who chose to support crime, not demand justice.

"This sentence shows that following a misguided sense of loyalty, at the cost of justice, is a serious offence that will be given a serious sentence."

  1. Barton and Taylor were sentenced on 30 November, 2005, by Preston Crown Court, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court for the racist murder of Anthony Walker. Anthony, 18, was killed on 30 July 2005.
  2. Robert Williams was sentenced to jail for 2 yrs 4 months ; Paul Morson to 11 months; Tracy Garner to 11 months suspended for two years and 50 hours unpaid work in the community plus a supervision requirement.
  3. For further information please contact CPS Press Office on 0207 796 8079.