Teenager convicted of student's racist murder

A premiership footballer's brother was today convicted of the racist murder of black teenager Anthony Walker.

Anthony, 18, was slain with an ice axe in July after he walked away from louts who hurled racist abuse as he waited for a bus in Huyton, Merseyside.

Michael Barton, the 17-year-old brother of Manchester City footballer Joey Barton, was found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.

The fatal blow was inflicted by 20-year-old Paul Taylor, who admitted murder, but Barton was convicted on the grounds that he supplied the weapon and started the confrontation.

Although the guilty verdict carries a mandatory life sentence, trial judge Mr Justice Leveson said a further hearing would have to be held today before he can decide the tariff, or sentence in years, both men should serve.

He told the jury they could listen if they wished until sentence is passed.

The judge then adjourned the court briefly so that Barton's co-accused could be brought from the cells into the dock.

Barton's relatives ran in tears from the court to public toilets outside.

Anthony Walker's relatives hugged each other in tears outside court.