Rachel Fulstow is currently challenging a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of Liam Smith. Although Michael Hillier committed the physical act of killing in Wigan, Fulstow was convicted under the legal doctrine of joint enterprise.
The brutal killing of electrician Liam Smith
The crime that led to these convictions involved a violent attack on Liam Smith, a self-employed electrician. According to the report, Michael Hillier shot and killed Liam Smith in Wigan and subsequently doused the victim's body in acid.
The sheer brutality of the attack on Liam Smith underscores the severity of the charges faced by both perpetrators. While the physical violence was carried out by Michael Hillier, the legal system sought to hold Rachel Fulstow equally responsible for the outcome of the event.
How joint enterprise laws linked Rachel Fulstow to Michael Hillier
A central point of contention in this case is that Rachel Fulstow was located 100 miles away from the crime scene when Liam Smith was murdered. Despite her physical absence, she was convicted under the law of joint enterprise, which allows for the conviction of individuals who encourage or assist in a crime even if they do not strike the final blow.
As the source reported, Rachel Fulstow is now serving a 30-year sentence for murder. Her appeal lawyer, Jeremy Moore,and her mother, Jenny, are working to overturn this conviction, arguing that Rachel Fulstow was not a willing participant but rather a victim of coercive control exerted by Michael Hillier.
From a Hinge profile to the destruction of a Yorkshire home
The relationship between Rachel Fulstow and Michael Hillier began in 2020 after Rachel Fulstow encountered Hillier's profile on the dating app Hinge. Initially, the pair appeared to be a compatible match, sharing values of loyalty and honesty and traveling together to destinations including Andorra and Brussels.
However, the dynamic shifted toward abuse, as evidenced by WhatsApp messages shared with Jenny, Rachel Fulstow's mother. The report notes that the abuse eventually escalated to the point where Michael Hillier destroyed the home of Rachel Fulstow, who had previously enjoyed a successful career in property management in Yorkshire.
Coercive control as a legal shield in modern UK courts
The appeal for Rachel Fulstow reflects a growing legal trend where defendants argue that "coercive control"—a pattern of domination and psychological abuse—negates their criminal intent. By framing Rachel Fulstow as a victim of Michael Hillier's manipulation, her legal team is attempting to decouple her from the joint enterprise conviction.
This case mirrors a wider societal and legal shift in recognizing that domestic abuse can extend beyond physical violence to include psychological imprisonment. the outcome of the appeal for Rachel Fulstow may provide further clarity on how the UK courts balance the accountability of joint enterprise against the realities of abusive relationships.
The mystery of Michael Hillier's earlier catastrophic encounter
While the details of the relationship are becoming clearer, a significant piece of the puzzle remains missing. the report mentions that Michael Hillier's abusive behavior was fueled by an "earlier encounter" that proved catastrophic, yet it does not specify what this event was or who was involved.
Furthermore, it remains unclear exactly what evidence the prosecution used to link Rachel Fulstow to the murder of Liam Smith while she was 100 miles away. The source does not detail the specific communications or plans that led the court to believe Rachel Fulstow was part of a joint enterprise with Michael Hillier.
Comments 0