A gangster who played a role in one of the UK’s most notorious murders faced a chilling threat in court from a gunman known as “the Iceman”. Steven Boyle assisted in the planned murder of underworld figure John Kinsella alongside the assassin, Mark Fellows. Fellows, who had previously killed Paul Massey with a sub-machine gun, shot Kinsella dead while he was out walking his dogs with his pregnant partner near the M62 in 2018. Boyle, along with Fellows, was convicted of Kinsella’s murder, but during the trial, Boyle claimed he was deceived by Fellows into unknowingly participating in the murder.
The violent feud between Salford’s A-Team gang and the Anti A-Team faction, which Boyle and Fellows were part of, escalated into a series of deadly conflicts. Massey’s murder led to a failed revenge attempt on Fellows, who was then imprisoned and later targeted Kinsella. Boyle, whose older brother was involved in a violent gang war in the late 1990s, had a criminal history even before his involvement in the murders. His past crimes included armed robberies, drug dealing, and possession of firearms.
Kinsella’s assassination, where Fellows shot him multiple times while Boyle acted as a spotter, shocked the court during the trial. Boyle claimed he thought he was collecting drug money and was unaware of the firearm that was used in the murder. This revelation led to a tense courtroom confrontation between Boyle and Fellows, with the latter making a threatening gesture towards Boyle. Despite Boyle’s claims of being deceived, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 33 years, while Fellows received a whole life sentence for both Massey’s and Kinsella’s murders.
Even behind bars, Boyle faced violence when he was attacked by another prisoner in HMP Wakefield. After the incident, he was relocated to HMP Belmarsh. His application for appeal was denied in 2021, further solidifying his fate. The case of Boyle and Fellows sheds light on the dark underworld of gang violence and betrayal that ultimately led to tragic consequences.
In summary, the article covers the trial of gangster Steven Boyle, who was involved in the murder of John Kinsella alongside notorious assassin Mark Fellows. Boyle’s claims of being deceived and the subsequent threats in court provide a glimpse into the dangerous world of organized crime and its deadly repercussions. The article highlights the complexities of criminal enterprises and the devastating impact they have on individuals and communities.