Shooter's best friend found GUILTY of murder

The best friend of cold-blooded killer Michael Reader has too been found guilty of murder this afternoon (Thursday).

In dramatic scenes at Northampton Crown Court a jury of seven men and five women convicted Stephen Welch by a 10-2 majority over his role in the death of Marion Price last year.

Welch, of Kingsthorpe, showed no reaction when the jury returned their verdict after 14 hours and 14 minutes of deliberations.

Marion, 63, was shot from close range by her ex-husband Reader, 70, in Packwood Crescent in Earls Barton on December 15.

Welch, 61, helped Reader track Marion's movements for months in the build-up to her death and then picked him up after the shooting.

He also dumped items in the River Nene at the request of Reader before flying the Spain the following morning, where he read articles online about Marion's death.

Earlier today Reader was unanimously convicted of murder.

Both Reader and Welch will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on December 21.

Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking QC thanked the jury and told them they wouldn't be required for jury service ever again because of the upsetting nature of the trial.

More to follow.