BBC to film drama on racist murder of student Anthony Walker, 18, bludgeoned to death by Joey Barton’s axe-wielding brother
A CHILLING new drama will explore the racist murder of an 18-year-old bludgeoned to death by Joey Barton's axe-wielding brother.
Anthony Walker was ambushed by Michael Barton and his cousin Paul Taylor in a park in Huyton, Merseyside in 2005.
He was bludgeoned to death by the racist pair, who drove an axe through his skull after earlier abusing him at a bus stop.
BBC1 is now planning to film a drama based on the gruesome murder - using the same casting director behind Little Boy Blue, which focused on the killing of 11-year-old Rhys Jones.
The show focused on the devastating murder in Croxeth in 2007 and the aftermath for parents Melanie and Steve.
Filming for Anthony will begin in Liverpool in November or December and could be screened on BBC1 to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the murder next July.
It has been written by Jimmy McGovern and produced by LA Productions for the BBC.
AXE MURDER
A-level student Anthony was walking with girlfriend Louise Thompson and cousin Marcus Binns at around 11pm when Barton hurled abuse at a bus stop.
As the trio moved to another stop, Barton and Taylor followed them in a car and ambushed them at a nearby park.
Louise and Marcus managed to escape and call for help but Anthony was hit so hard with the ice axe it got lodged in his skull - leaving him brain dead.
Anthony was rushed to hospital but was tragically pronounced dead just a few hours later.
His killers went on the run in Amsterdam - with Barton's brother, footballer Joey Barton, appealing for their return.
Barton, then 17, denied the killing after his arrest and at trial, but has since accepted his role in the offence, while Taylor pleaded guilty.
'RACIST THUGGERY'
Both were caged for life - with Barton ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and Taylor sentenced to at least 23 years and eight months.
The unfounded attack was described by Lord Justice Leveson as a “racist thuggery of a type that is poisonous to any civilised society”.
But in 2016 - after ten years in prison - Barton had his sentence reduced by one year after making "exceptional progress".
The decision was slammed by Anthony's mum Gee, who helped set up the Anthony Walker Foundation in his memory to support hate crime victims.
She said at the time: "I feel deeply betrayed.
"This decision to cut his minimum sentence does not make any sense and it dishonours Anthony’s memory.
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“They promised me and my family that Barton would serve a minimum of eighteen years.
“It is not fair to make a promise like that and then come back and say they have changed their mind.
“We have to live this or ordeal rest of lives.
“It is utterly wrong.”
