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Michael Williams has been sentenced for the murder
MERSEYSIDE Police, on Tuesday 5 April
2016, said that they:- "welcomed the sentencing of Michael Williams for
the murder of Maxine Showers." Williams, on 5 April 2016,
was sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years imprisonment at Liverpool Crown
Court. Williams had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in January, but the plea was
not accepted by the prosecution and he was sent for trial to face the charge of
murder. The body of Maxine was discovered in an alleyway between Hinton
Street and Parton Street, in Fairfield, on Monday, 28 September 2015. A post
mortem examination had found that she died as a result of blunt force trauma to
the head. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Tivendale said:- "We
welcome the verdict of the court and hope that it will give some closure to
Maxine's family, but ultimately nothing can bring her back. Maxine was just 42
years old, a mother, and will tragically now not see her children grow up. This
has been a devastating ordeal for her family and friends, and our thoughts are
with them as they continue to come to terms with Maxine's death and this
verdict. Maxine was subjected to a brutal attack by Williams, who then
despicably tried to justify his violent actions by accusing her of theft and
provocation. Following the murder, we liaised closely with partners in Liverpool
Community Health NHS Trust to ensure that sex workers were provided with the
specialist support and safety advice they needed. However, this work continues
daily as we recognise that sex workers continue to face threats and violence, so
it is important to highlight those services on offer." Martin
Fenerty, Operational Manager of the Armistead Centre which provides support and
outreach services to Street Sex Workers in Liverpool, said:- "Our service
offers support and advice to Sex Workers for any issues that affect them,
including sexual health and personal safety. Our links with Merseyside Police
means that our clients have access to justice and effective support when they
most need it. We can offer support to anyone involved in sex work via our
helpline on:- 0151 247 6560 or in person at 56 to 58 Hanover Street."
Shelly Stoops, Service Manager for SAFE Place Merseyside Sexual Assault
Referral Centre, said:- "Our NHS service provides confidential treatment
and support to anyone affected by sexual assault or violence; 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. We would encourage anyone who may themselves have been a victim
of sexual violence to come forward and talk to one of our specialist team. You
can access SAFE Place on:- 0151 295 3550 or visit them
online." |
