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  1. ITV Report

Two men jailed after Billy Livesley was murdered in Wigan

Left, David Connor, 26, sentenced to a minimum of 17 years. Right, Jimmy Price, 22, sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

Following a three-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, David Connor, 26, was found guilty of Mr Livesley's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years.

David Connor, 26, found guilty of Mr Livesley's murder and sentenced to a minimum of 17 years. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

Another man, Jimmy Price, 22, has also been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.

Jimmy Price, 22 , sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

During the trial, the court heard how Billy had been in a car park on Bickerhsaw Lane with his girlfriend and a friend on Friday 28 December 2018, when a white Ford Transit Connect van – driven by Price – pulled up.

A man emerged from the van and approached Billy, who instinctively backed away. After spotting Billy’s attempts to flee, Connor got out of the van and fatally struck him in the head with a crowbar.

Connor was then heard exclaiming ‘I’ve killed him, I’ve killed him’ before he fled with Price and the other man in the van.

Billy Livesley, 21, was struck over the head and murdered in Wigan. Credit: MEN Media

Around ten minutes after the attack, Price drove the white van away from the immediate area and abandoned it on Belmont Avenue in an attempt to conceal it from detectives.

Police and Paramedics were called to the scene but the following evening Billy died from his injuries.

A Home Office Post Mortem revealed that Billy died from a fatal penetrative head injury.

Billy Livesley and his mum, Sylvia Mitchell. Credit: Greater Manchester Police

Billy's family have paid tribute to him, his mum, Sylvia Mitchell, said:

“My son’s life was brutally taken away from me. He was one in a million and had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone. His heart was bigger than him.

Losing Billy has destroyed my life. I’ve been deprived of being able to watch him grow up to be the best dad he could ever be. The loss of Billy has broken the whole family and also our community.

– Sylvia Mitchell

He was a kind loving and caring person and I am so proud to call him my son.

Thousands came to his funeral and this just shows how well known and loved he was. Rest in peace young man Mum will always love you xx."

Billy's dad, Scott Livesley, said:

"Billy was a fun loving and outgoing young man who loved all his family. Billy was over the moon about becoming a first time Dad. He would light up any room he walked in with his million dollar smile.

Billy was a keen rugby player and loved football. His beloved football team Everton paid tribute to Billy which he would have loved and as a family we are forever grateful.

Billy had a special bond with his siblings and loved his mum and dad unconditionally."

Billy will never be forgotten and losing him has left a huge hole in our family. Our lives will never be the same again. WE LOVE YOU BILLY XX.

– Scott Livesley

Detective Inspector Wesley Knights, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:

The blow inflicted on Billy on that fateful day last year was nothing short of horrific and had devastating consequences.

His loved ones have remained at the forefront of our minds throughout our painstaking investigation and I hope that today we have helped to provide them with some closure, knowing that those responsible are now locked behind bars.

– Greater Manchester Police