Racist killer 'deeply sorry'

The racist killer of black teenager Anthony Walker is “horrified” at what he has done, a court heard today.

Paul Taylor (aged 20) and his cousin Michael Barton (aged 17), who murdered devout Christian Anthony with an ice axe, were being sentenced today at Liverpool Crown Court.

Andrew Menary QC, defending Taylor, said in mitigation the killer was sorry for what he had done and wanted to apologise to Anthony’s family.

“This killing was and remains a senseless event,” Mr Menary said.

“A moment of mindless violence on the part of this young man has ended so tragically for Anthony Walker and his family.”

Mr Menary said Taylor, who killed Anthony with a two-foot-long ice axe, had been “consistently under the influence of cannabis” at the time of the killing.

Mr Menary added: “He is deeply sorry for the hurt he has caused to Mrs Walker in particular and other members of the Walker family.

“He is and remains horrified at what he did.”

Taylor, 20, pleaded guilty to murder.

Trial judge Mr Justice Leveson said Taylor was the more “criminally experienced” of the two killers and had actually wielded the lethal weapon.

He faces up to 30 years in prison for the racially aggravated murder but will be given credit and serve less time for his guilty plea.

Barton was found guilty of the murder yesterday following an eight-day trial.