Three men have been jailed for life after a father was gunned down in an ‘execution-style murder’ in front of his horrified son.
Rikki Berry, 36, died after he was shot three times by Michael Smith, 27, who was riding an electric bike while wearing a balaclava.
The father was at home in Kirby, Merseyside with his partner and young children when the biker opened fire.
The cold-blooded killer was travelling in a convoy with two others in a car who oversaw the killing: Driver Adam Williams, 26, and passenger Connor Walsh, 26.
All three men were jailed for life in a sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, February 18.
During the hearing a barrister read a heartbreaking statement from Mr Berry’s 13-year-old son to the court.
‘I had to watch as my dad died,’ the statement said.
It continued: ‘I have had to see so many horrendous things, I hate you all for what you have done to me and my family,’ the BBC reported.
The court also heard the words of the youngster’s four-year-old sister.
‘I will never forget you daddy, I see you in my dreams, love your little darling,’ they read.
Three men have been jailed for life after a dad was gunned down in an ‘execution-style murder’ in front of his horrified son. Rikki Berry, 36, died after he was shot three times by Michael Smith who was riding an electric bike while wearing a balaclava
The dad was at home in Kirby, Merseyside with his partner and young children when the biker shot him four times, with three bullets hitting their intended target
The cold-blooded killer was travelling in a convoy with two others in a car who oversaw the killing: driver Adam Williams, 26, and passenger Connor Walsh, 26
Telephone evidence showed the three men were in contact with each other in the run-up to the murder, and were all together in the black Cupra Ateca car minutes before the shooting.
All three pleaded not guilty after being charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
However, part-way through the trial, car driver Williams and passenger Walsh named Smith as the gunman.
Following this, Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, but continued to deny murder.
However, all three were found guilty of both charges after a trial lasting nearly four weeks.
All three men have now been jailed for life.
All three men were jailed for life in a sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, February 18
Williams and gunman Smith must serve at least 31 years in jail before they can be considered for release, while car passenger Walsh must serve at least 30 years.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams said: ‘This was a shocking, execution-style murder committed on a summer evening in July.
‘Rikki Berry was at home with his partner and young children when four shots were fired at him by Smith.
‘It was only a matter of chance that no-one else was injured or killed by the gunman’s actions.
‘The gunman was not acting alone. The car and bike were acting in tandem.
‘All three defendants had a role to play.
‘Within three weeks of the shooting, Merseyside Police had identified the defendants as suspects, the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised murder charges and all three were before the court.
‘This has been a difficult and dynamic case. I’m grateful to all those involved in supporting the investigation and prosecution in achieving today’s convictions.’