Killer's family face eviction bid

Michael Barton will serve at least 17 years for murder

Housing officials want to evict the family of one of the men convicted of murdering teenager Anthony Walker.

Michael Barton, 17, was jailed for life with his cousin, Paul Taylor, 20, for killing Anthony, 18, with an ice axe.

The Knowsley Housing Trust has served an eviction notice on Barton's parents and is asking the courts to repossess their home in Huyton.

The Barton family will be "strenuously defending" the action, their solicitor has said.

The Knowsley Housing Trust says that all residents convicted of a crime are at risk of eviction.

Bob Taylor, chief executive, said: "The crime, which so appalled the nation, was committed while Barton was a resident at one of our properties and we are therefore applying to gain repossession of the home."

Knowsley Housing Trust served a Notice Seeking Possession on the house on 1 March and intends to apply to the county court for a warrant for possession.

Anthony Walker was killed with an ice axe

Mr Taylor added: "Any act of crime or anti-social behaviour by a tenant or a member of their household constitutes a breach of their tenancy and will result in us seeking to repossess their home.

"We believe this policy sends out a very clear message to the community that no form of criminal activity or antisocial behaviour will be tolerated."

In December last year, Barton was told he would serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months for Anthony's murder.

Tony Fearnley, from Stephensons solicitors, which is acting for the Barton family, said: "We would like to express our surprise and dismay at this regrettable step taken by Knowsley Housing Trust given the support and compassion shown to Mrs Barton within the community.

"We will be strenuously defending this action."

Anthony was killed with an ice axe after he was ambushed by Barton and Taylor in a park in Huyton in July last year.

In an interview with the BBC earlier this week, Anthony's mother Gee said she felt "no hate" for Barton and Taylor.