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A man accused of murdering a father-of-two who was shot and attacked with acid has been removed from court after interrupting the judge’s summing up.

The jury in the trial of Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow, both accused of the murder of Liam Smith, 38, in Wigan, Greater Manchester, retired to consider their verdicts shortly before 1pm on Tuesday.

Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester has heard Mr Smith, an electrician, went on a date with Fulstow, 37, in 2019 when she has claimed they had “non-consensual sex” at a hotel.

Mr Smith lived in Wigan but he was originally from Chorley.

Michael Hillier was removed from court for interrupting the murder trial judge's summing up

Hillier, 39, who has admitted manslaughter but denies murder, claims they plotted together to attack Mr Smith after Fulstow, who he was in a relationship with, told him she had been raped.

Summing up the case on Tuesday morning, Judge Maurice Greene reminded the jury of Fulstow’s evidence about sex with Mr Smith, which she said she did not consider to be rape.

Family mark 9 years since dad was stabbed to death

Speaking from the dock, Hillier said: “It’s not sex, it’s rape.

Man accused of murdering dad-of-two Liam Smith removed from court after interrupting judge