The family of a dad who was murdered before being brutally dismembered have told of the 'pure hell' they have endured. Ashley Walsh's family cheered and applauded in court as his killers were told they must both serve at least 28 years in jail after being convicted of murder.
Aaron Evitt, 34, repeatedly attacked Ashley with a hammer, before Evitt's cousin Gerard McGlacken, 45, 'chopped up' his body. The pair then transported his body parts to a local park in four suitcases.
The killing apparently followed claims by Ashley, 34, that he'd slept with Evitt's ex. About 20 members of Ashley's family wore special purple hoodies in court.
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He was a keen motocross rider, and the jumpers bore his number plate, '116', and the slogan 'ride in paradise'. Balloons were released outside court in his memory after sentencing.
Manchester Crown Court heard that Ashley, from Failsworth, was murdered on the night of January 7. His family spent an agonising nine days searching for him until Evitt finally revealed where Ashley's remains were.
"We have heard how he died in horrific circumstances, but the torture endured by his family when they were searching for him in the days after his disappearance was pure hell," Ashley's cousin, Helen Walsh, said. "It sickens me to learn that while we were worried sick, searching for him in Boggart Hole Clough and other places, he was already dead."
Search parties, which included Ashley's 80-year-old grandmother, worked around the clock to try and find him. Helen said the grotesque manner of how Ashley's body was treated after the killing only added to their pain.
"To learn how his body was treated after his death, how he was placed in suitcases and disposed of like he was garbage, was horrendous," she said. "He was not garbage, he was my precious cousin."
"Ashley Walsh was aged 34 when he was callously and brutally killed," Mr Justice Goose said before he jailed Evitt and McGlacken for life.
"In 102 areas of injury were included multiple wounds to his head and face caused by repeated hammer blows, and to his body by a number of deep stab wounds to the chest. After he was murdered his head was removed and his body dismembered."
The trio had been drinking together at McGlacken's flat in Collyhurst. After Ashley allegedly claimed he'd slept with Evitt's ex, Evitt began attacking him with a hammer.
The judge said Evitt had lied when during the trial he'd claimed to have acted in self defence. At trial, Evitt claimed he then 'blacked out' after attacking Ashley, and only awoke to learn that McGlacken had dismembered him.
"I reject your evidence that you fell asleep and did not know of or see what McGlacken was doing," the judge told Evitt. "This was a small flat and the process took a considerable time.
"You both jointly murdered Ashley Walsh and you jointly needed to dispose of the body." The pair then spent days cleaning up the flat, using bleach and painting over blood stained walls.
Evitt lied to Ashley's family, claiming he'd vanished and had 'got off with a girl'. Ashley's whereabouts remained unknown until January 16, when Evitt told police his remains had been stored at Sand Hills park in Collyhurst.
Suspicions had been raised after Ashley's dog Duke was seen roaming alone in Boggart Hole Clough. Ashley's family were glad that justice has been done, but their lives have forever been changed.
They say that even day to day chores such as walking the dog or cleaning remind them of Ashley's brutal murder, due to the details of the case. "We associate these things with the murder and are reminded," Helen said.
"We will always remember Ashley as a fun, smiling, chilled, kind-hearted man and his loss means our family will never be the same again."
During the trial, Evitt was asked how he felt about his 'friend' Ashley's death. He said: "I know it wasn't my fault, so I don't feel as bad, still bad, but at the end of the day I didn't tell him (McGlacken) to do it."
Helen said she was 'shocked' to hear the comment. "We feel there has been no remorse shown whatsoever about what happened to Ashley," she said.
Evitt, of Brentnor Road, Moston, and McGlacken, of Kintore Walk, Collyhurst were both convicted of murder after a trial. They had previously pleaded guilty to preventing a lawful burial.
Both were jailed for life and will have to serve a minimum of 28 years before they can be considered for release.
After the hearing, Detective Inspector Daniel Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: "These convictions are the result of a thorough investigation by our Major Incident Team who were committed to securing justice for Ashley’s family and I’m pleased that those responsible were convicted.
"It was a heinous act of violence and not only did Aaron Evitt and Gerard McGlacken take Ashley’s life, but they also attempted to conceal what they had done – causing extreme distress and upset to Ashley’s family and friends.
"Our thoughts are with them at this time, and we can only hope that today’s verdict brings some comfort.”
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