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25/07/92
- Michelle's mum blames John for 'year of hell'
The Sun
By Mike Sullivan and James Lewthwaite
THE mother of murder sisters Michelle and Lisa Taylor branded
John Shaughnessy a "pathetic bastard." Anne Taylor stormed:
"My girls would never have been in the dock if it weren't
for him. "John Shaughnessy is a bastard and I don't care
if you print that. I will tell him to his face."
Shaughnessy told the trial how Michelle chased him throughout
his engagement and marriage to Alison. The prosecution said Michelle
developed an obsession with Shaughnessy and murdered Alison with
the help of Lisa.
But Anne said: ''That fatal attraction stuff is a load of rubbish.
"The girls didn't murder Alison and I know that. They can't
lie to me, their own mother. "My Michelle has never even
had a parking ticket."
Mrs Taylor, 50, of Forest Hill, South London, went on: "Michelle
was young and impressionable and fell for him — but that's
not a crime. "John led my daughter along. He wanted the best
of both worlds.
"He wanted to have a wife and my daughter as a girlfriend.
"He has caused all the trouble. I think he is pathetic."
Shaughnessy paid several visits to the Taylors' home, sometimes
with wife Alison.
He stayed there on the night of her murder after he and Michelle
gave statements to police following their discovery of the body.
But now Michelle cannot bear even to think about her former lover.
Her mother said: "The mere mention of him makes her feel
ill. This whole thing has been a disgrace." Mrs Taylor added:
"I can't see what Michelle saw in John. "Why do the
women fall for him? I can't see anything great about him. "I
didn't like him but I was tolerant because he was Michelle's friend.
"My Michelle was used by him. He took advantage of her and
she suffered because of it. "She was completely devastated
by Alison's death. How would you feel if you had found the body?
Michelle had been in custody since her arrest last August —
separated from her mum, dad Derek, sister Tracey and brother David.
Lisa was on bail. Mrs Taylor said: "It has been a year of
hell for us all and I blame John Shaughnessy for that." Window
cleaner Mr Taylor, 52, said: "This thing has ruined their
lives and it would never have happened but for John. "They
will never get over it.
They were just young girls leading an ordinary life and then they
were charged with murder. How do you cope with that?" Anne
said: "My girls are very close. "I remember when Lisa
was ill and had to sleep downstairs.
"Michelle stayed with her all night because she didn't want
to leave her alone. "If we were not so close I don't, think
we would have got through this." |
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