THE devastated family of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson, who died following an arson attack, have voiced their disgust after being told their killers’ prison terms could be slashed.
Sheila Jackson, 83, and Eric Greener, 77, who had been together for more than 30 years, were the unintended victims of a revenge plot against Sheila’s son George at their home in South John Street, Fingerpost.
Kevin Weetman had attempted to pressure George into selling drugs for him, but when he refused, Weetman demanded payment for the ‘gift’ of cocaine he had previously received.
The arson attack was then planned and instructions were given to Kylie Maynard, 37, who passed them on to Lee Owens, 46 and Paul Smith, 40.
George was not home at the time of the attack on July 15, 2025, and instead Sheila and Eric were.
Sheila died two days later, and Eric died a day after the blaze from their injuries.
In February 2026, Weetman of Croxteth Drive, Aigburth, and Maynard, of Rydal Street in Everton, were found guilty of manslaughter following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Owens pleaded guilty to the crime and Smith died before he could be sentenced. Weetman was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years and Maynard was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Owens, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 13 years and six months.
Despite being informed they would serve at least two thirds of their respective sentences before being eligible for parole, Sheila and Eric's family say they have received a letter informing them that Maynard and Owens could serve just one half of their sentences before being eligible for parole.
The grief-stricken family of Sheila and Eric said: “It has been a year since Eric and Sheila were so cruelly taken from us in the premeditated arson attack on their home.
“As we mark the anniversary of their deaths on 16 and 17 July, we remember them with all the love our hearts can hold and miss them more than words could ever express.
“As our family gathers privately to remember their lives, the overwhelming sense of heartbreak remains. This anniversary is a painful reminder of everything we have lost over the past twelve months and of the unimaginable journey our family has been forced to endure.
“Eric and Sheila were truly one of a kind. They were the heart of our family.
“Sheila was a fiery redhead with an even bigger heart. Throughout her working life she worked in local factories, predominantly Pilkington’s, before becoming a cleaner and later a barmaid at the former Griffin Inn in Peasley Cross, where she eventually met Eric. She was the proud mother of four children and a devoted grandmother to fourteen grandchildren, all of whom she adored.
“Eric was a handsome man with jet-black hair who worked as a builder and labourer – a true jack of all trades. He also spent many years working on the fair, something he absolutely loved, especially the Waltzers.
“He had three children from a previous relationship, and every one of Sheila’s fourteen grandchildren proudly called him Grandad.
“His love for Sheila was unquestionable. He adored her completely, even having her name tattooed across his body several times as a lasting symbol of his devotion.
“As we reach this heartbreaking anniversary, we remember Eric and Sheila for the extraordinary people they were and promise that their memory will continue to live on through every one of us.
“Over the past year, we have had to come to terms with the unimaginable reality that they were so brutally taken from us. We have tried to navigate our grief whilst enduring a gruelling six-week trial, only to leave feeling that Eric and Sheila did not receive the justice they truly deserved.
“As if everything we have already endured was not enough, less than six months after the trial concluded, we were dealt another devastating blow.
“We recently received a letter informing us that, under new legislation introduced to ease prison overcrowding, the Sentencing Act 2026, Maynard and Owens could be and likely will be released after serving just half of their prison sentences, despite the already lenient sentences originally imposed by the court.
"That means years could be cut from the time they spend in custody, despite the seriousness of what they did.
“Although this does not apply to Weetman, it does apply to the other two defendants.
“A representative from Victim Support met with our family on 6 July to explain what this could mean. The possibility that those responsible could have and likely will have years deducted from their sentences after serving less than five months in prison is something we simply cannot comprehend.
“We already struggled to accept the outcome of the trial. To now face the prospect of those responsible being released even earlier leaves us feeling angry, devastated and completely let down by the justice system.
“It feels as though the system continues to prioritise offenders while the lifelong impact on victims’ families is treated as an afterthought.
“Following the verdict of manslaughter rather than murder, we watched the defendants laugh in the dock because they believed they had escaped the consequences of their actions.
“Now, with the possibility of early release due to prison overcrowding, it feels as though those fears are becoming a reality.
“Prison capacity is not the fault of grieving families, and victims should not be the ones paying the price.
“We have contacted our local MP, Marie Rimmer, and are still awaiting a response. While we understand this issue extends far beyond our own case, we cannot stay silent.
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“We are asking everyone who reads our story to contact their own MP and raise their concerns about these changes. This is not only about Eric and Sheila. These measures affect victims and families across the country whose lives have been shattered by the most serious crimes, including violent offences and rape.
“One year on, our grief is no smaller. Every day we continue to live with the consequences of losing Eric and Sheila in such horrific circumstances. We cannot bring them back, but we will continue to fight for them, to speak their names, and to ensure they are never forgotten.
“Their lives mattered. Their memories deserve to be honoured. And we will never stop seeking the justice we believe they deserved.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “This government is fixing the prison crisis it inherited – building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals. Without this decisive action, prisons will run out of space entirely as early as November and we will be unable to lock up serious offenders at all.
“Public safety and supporting victims is our top priority. Offenders who a judge has deemed the most dangerous are automatically blocked from early release, and prisoners who behave badly while behind bars face being locked up for longer.
“Anyone who is released faces tough rules such as restrictions on their movements, tagging, being banned from attending public events, pubs and clubs, backed by our record £700m investment into probation and 1,300 extra probation officers.”
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