Mum and Two Kids Jailed for Life Over Brutal Doorstep Murder
Family Feud Ends in Savage Killing
A mum and her two kids have been locked up for life after a savage murder on a doorstep following a bloody birthday party bust-up. The trio were found guilty of knifing a man to death outside his home after a row sparked at a 21st birthday bash.
Plotting Violence Behind Closed Doors
Joanne Maxwell, 44, enraged after a fight at her daughter’s 21st birthday in August 2024, threatened victim Paul Scott and his mate Charlie Evans, a Preston Crown Court trial heard. Text messages revealed Maxwell scheming to “trash Paul’s car” and do him harm.
She dragged in her son, Liam Donlin, a violent thug already serving time for pub assaults in Blackburn, to carry out the savage plan.
The Night of Horror
- On June 21, 2025, Maxwell, daughter Amie Clegg, and Donlin – banned from pubs by a Criminal Behaviour Order – spent the night boozing in Blackburn.
- Later, they grabbed a taxi home, armed with kitchen knives, and set off to Paul Scott’s flat in Peridot Close.
- Amie, distantly related to Paul, lured the 5ft 3ins victim to the door.
- Donlin, towering at 6ft 1ins, launched a brutal knife attack, stabbing Paul repeatedly while shouting, “Go on, you little f****** rat!”
- Paul bled out on his kitchen floor as the killers stayed put, making no effort to help.
Maxwell and Amie later claimed they found Paul injured but refused to give evidence in court.
Rapid Verdict and Powerful Reaction
The jury took less than three hours to unanimously convict all three – the mother and her two children – of murder. They remain behind bars and face life sentences when sentenced on March 20.
“Our beloved Paul Scott was taken from us in an unimaginable act of cruelty,” the victim’s family said. “A trio of evil attacked, killed, and filmed Paul’s last moments on his doorstep. It’s been a long road towards justice for Pauly.”
Detective Superintendent John McNamara of Lancashire Police broke down the brutal roles:
“Liam Donlin may have delivered the fatal stabs, but he wasn’t the only murderer. Joanne Maxwell incited the attack. Amie Clegg lured Paul to the door and filmed the murder. Paul was related to the attackers, making this all the more tragic for the family.”
This shocking family-led knife attack has left a community reeling, exposing cold-blooded cruelty at a deadly birthday bash gone horribly wrong.
