Murderer’s appeal for sentence cut is delayed

A CHADDERTON woman who with her husband knifed a man to death, dismembered his body and hid it in bags, faces a wait to see if her minimum jail term will be cut.

Lord Justice Latham, vice-president of the Court of Appeal’s Criminal Division, said Julie Barker’s sentence appeal — which was due to be heard yesterday — would have to be put back so that Crown lawyers can have an opportunity to oppose her challenge.

He said prosecuting lawyers had indicated they would come if asked to, and that the importance of the decision meant they should be present before the hearing went ahead.

Barker (48), of Henley Street, was convicted of murder and two counts of perverting the course of justice at Manchester Crown Court in December, 2001. She was jailed for life, and told she must serve at least 15 years before she would be considered for parole.

But her QC, Ben Nolan, now argues her minimum term should be cut because of her exceptional progress in prison — together with her help in passing information to the police about a “murderous plot” hatched by a fellow inmate.

Barker and her husband, James Crawford, murdered Ryan Hetherington (25) after a night of heavy drinking on January 8, 2001.

After the three returned to Crawford’s home, Mr Hetherington was stabbed repeatedly by Barker and Crawford using knives they found in the house.

Barker and Crawford enlisted the help of a friend the following morning to clear up the murder scene — and they dismembered Mr Hetherington’s body, hiding it in a number of bags.

They then drove to Liverpool, but were caught out when they were involved in an accident and police discovered the body parts in their car. Motives for the murder are still not clear.

Crawford, of Oldham, was convicted of murder and two counts of perverting the course of justice at the same trial as Barker. He was also jailed for life.

Lord Justice Latham told Mr Nolan: “If it is any consolation to your client, she can be assured that her position in terms of release is unlikely to be affected by any delay in the resolution of this appeal, so she will not be prejudiced by any adjournment.”

No date has been set for Barker’s appeal to return to court.