Five jailed for minimum of 78 years over murder of Blackburn woman Alison McBlain

Judge Sir Peter Openshaw handed down lengthy jail terms to John Chatwood, 26, Joshua Titterington, 27, Kaylib Connolly, 19, Dean Qayum, 21 and Karis Poynton, 27, at a hearing in Preston Crown Court this afternoon (February 24).

Alison McBlain, 36, suffered "catastrophic injuries" after a Fiat Punto deliberately mounted a kerb on King Street in Blackburn, throwing her 40ft along the road.

Christian Rivers, 28, who was walking with Alison at the time was also seriously injured in the incident, but he has since made a full recovery.

Alison initially survived the collision, which occurred at around 7.45pm on November 19, 2019, but died in hospital two days later .

During a police investigation it transpired the attack was in retaliation to Christian and Alison stealing £60 worth of crack cocaine and heroin from Qayum and Connolly.

The court heard that the defendants were all connected with the "Bully line" - a fledgling local drug dealing operation - either as customers or part of the enterprise.

As a result, the pair were actively sought for a 'revenge attack', with members of the gang encouraging associates to alert them if they were sighted.

On the evening of the attack, Poynton - an associate of the Bully Line - reportedly saw Ms McBlain in a pharmacy in Blackburn and passed her location to the group.

It is believed Connolly was driving the Punto when it struck Ms McBlain, while Qayum, Joshua Titterington and the 16-year-old boy were passengers. Chatwood was not present but was involved in the Bully Line and played a key part in organising the attack.

Following a five week trial, four of the six defendants were found guilty of her murder, and one guilty of manslaughter, with the sixth defendant - a youth who cannot be named for legal reasons - acquitted on all charges.

Those convicted over Ms McBlain's death:

Dean Qayum, 21, of Patterdale Avenue, Blackburn - guilty of murder and attempted murder and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years.

Kaylib Connolly, 19, of Ivy Street, Blackburn - guilty of murder and attempted murder and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 14 years.

Joshua Titterington, 27, of Scotland Bank Terrace, Blackburn - guilty of murder and attempted GBH and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 17-and-a-half years.

Karis Poynton, 28, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors - guilty of murder and attempted GBH and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 13 years.

John Chatwood, 26, of Walsh Street, Blackburn - guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 14 years.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be name for legal reasons, was cleared of all charges.

Det Chief Insp Lee Wilson, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Alison McBlain – a mother, daughter and beloved friend to many – was deliberately run over and killed in a calculated, premeditated revenge slaying.

“Poynton played a key role initially, when she saw the victims and made a phone call to one of the Bully Line Jon-Paul Chatwood (fifth image down) with their location. She knew full well they were the targets of a revenge attack when she made the call.

“Those in the car knew what would happen when, moments later, they switched off the car’s headlights and deliberately drove at the pair in the dark. The car became a murder weapon, with the victims having no warning or time to get out of the way.

“Those in the car fled the scene, before abandoning the car down an alleyway nearby.

“Sadly, Alison (sixth image down) died from her injuries just two days after the attack. As a result of her death a 13-year-old boy has lost his mother, while her family and friends have been left utterly heartbroken. They have also been put through the ordeal of a trial because the offenders refused to admit what they had done.

“The pain caused to Alison’s loved ones cannot be overstated and they must be commended for showing great dignity throughout this whole difficult process. We hope they can now take some comfort in knowing five people are behind bars.

“I am pleased that the jury reached guilty verdicts for the parts that five of the defendants played in the attack and am satisfied with the sentences handed down by Sir Peter Openshaw DL. I hope they use their time in jail to reflect on their abhorrent actions."

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