One of the killers of Michael Rainsford made a shocking confession before being jailed for life.
James Foy claimed he wanted the "truth" to be known as his guilt was relayed to a stunned courtroom on March 12, 2021. James and his older brother, Michael, were jailed for the murder of Michael Rainsford - a young skater with a big social media following.
At around 11.10pm on April 7, 2020, officers were called to Harrington Road following reports a man had been shot through his kitchen window. Emergency services attended and the victim, 20-year-old Michael, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
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The young man had been packing a bag to travel to go and see his girlfriend. His dad was beside him in the kitchen when two shots rang out in quick succession. His dad Michael Snr, later described the shock, terror and horror as his son died in his arms.
The shooting came less than an hour after bricks had been hurled at the Foy's Seaforth home while their mum, Joyce Smith, was alone inside on the night of April 7, 2020. Prosecutors claimed the shooting was an act of "supposed retribution" for the brick incident.
Tragically, the court heard, Mr Rainsford played no role in that incident and was of no significance to the wider gangland background of his murder.
In total, five people were sentenced in connection with the murder of Michael Rainsford. The five were sentenced to a total of more than 60 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after all being found guilty following a trial.
But on the day James was going to be jailed for life, his barrister Christopher Henley, QC, said: "He wants the court to know it was him that fired the gun that night." His dramatic U-turn came after he had forced the family of Michael Rainsford through an agonising trial during which he had denied playing any role in the fatal shooting.
In that case the 19-year-old had stood in front of his victim's loved ones and said: "I had murdered no-one.” In the aftermath of the gunshots, the cover up began.
The murder weapon has never been found by police, nor has the electric bike. Foy's uncle, Craig Johnson, was convicted of perverting the course of justice by storing the vehicle and disposing of it.
Both brothers' mobile phones were last used on April 8, the day after the shooting, each claiming they lost them. It was just a coincidence, it was argued in court, that Joyce Smith's SIM was also last used on that day.
The 46-year-old's device was found by police when their home was raided on April 9 but the SIM was not recovered. She was convicted of perverting the course of justice by disposing of it.
Joyce Smith had also drawn in neighbour Andrea Saunderson - known as the "mama" of Rossini Street due to her willingness to help others - into her plot. Saunderson was asked to store clothes belonging to the Foys because Smith feared - correctly - the home was about to be raided.
The 48-year-old accepted and was also convicted of perverting the course of justice. It was acknowledged, however, the two tracksuits and coat she stored were not of evidential significance to the case.
Keith Sutton, defending her, said the jury's conclusion did not mean the court could be sure she knew the investigation she was thwarting was as serious as a murder probe, and that police only discovered her involvement because she had told them. All of the defendants had positive references submitted to the court on their behalf.
Barristers defending the Foys each pointed to their youth, acknowledging there was little they could say to help clients convicted of murder. Julia Smart, QC, defending Michael, said the 22-year-old had been trying to "turn his life around" before the murder, having secured a job and complied with probation requirements following a previous jail term for drug dealing.
Stephen Nikolich, defending Smith, said she now had the "unfortunate burden" of being the mother of two sons facing long sentences, that her crime was "isolated" and the prosecution that followed deepened her depression. Stephen McNally, defending Johnson, pointed to the 39-year-old's long employment record and highlighted he was not part of the gangland picture that his nephews were embedded in.
Addressing the defendants after Henry Riding, prosecuting, had read a harrowing statement from Mr Rainsford's dad, detailing the ongoing anguish the Foys had caused, Justice Dove handed both Foys life sentences. Michael was jailed for life with a minimum of 30 years.
James, also convicted of possession of a gun found in a Bootle home in 2019, was handed a minimum term of 28 years. Johnson, of Willard Drive in Bootle was jailed for three years and Smith for 30 months.
Saunderson was given an 18 month sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete a 20 day rehabilitation programme. Justice Dove said the brothers, angered by the attack on their home, had been "determined on retaliation at all costs".
The Murder of Mikey Rainsford part of the Social Media Murders exclusively on ITVX, from Thursday, March 9
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