Family of racist killer to be evicted

Housing chiefs in Merseyside have served an eviction notice on the family of a racist thug convicted of murdering the black teenager Anthony Walker.

Michael Barton, 17, was jailed for life last year along with his cousin, Paul Taylor, 20, for killing Mr Walker with an ice axe. Housing officials have told Barton's parents to leave their home in Huyton and have asked the courts to repossess the property.

Bob Taylor, the chief executive of Knowsley Housing Trust, 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."

The trust policy stresses all residents who are convicted of a serious crime or antisocial behaviour run the risk of eviction.

In December last year, Barton - brother of the Premiership footballer Joey Barton - was told he would serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months for Mr Walker's murder.

The 18-year-old, a talented athlete and A-level student, was bludgeoned to death after being ambushed by Barton and Taylor in a park in Huyton last July.

Knowsley Housing Trust served a notice seeking possession upon the Bartons' home on Wednesday.