The five defendants convicted of the murder of 37-year-old Alison McBlain have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 78 years in prison.

At a hearing in Preston Crown Court, Judge Sir Peter Openshaw handed down lengthy jail terms to Jon-Paul Chatwood, 26, Joshua Titterington, 27, Kaylib Connolly, 19, Dean Qayum, 21 and Karis Poynton, 27.

Alison McBlain and Christian Rivers were hit by a Fiat Punto on King Street in Blackburn on Tuesday November 19 2019.

The Punto was being driven by Connolly. Qayum was in the passenger seat, with Titterington and a youth in the back seats. 

The attack was in retaliation to Christian Rivers stealing £60 worth of crack cocaine and heroin from Connolly on November 18, in what was described as a 'drugs taxing'.

While Christian survived, Alison did not, and she was pronounced dead two days later, having succumbed to her injuries while in hospital.

Following the incident, an investigation was launched and a number of arrests were made in connection with her death, and on January 4, six people stood in the dock accused of her murder as trial proceedings began at Preston Crown Court.

Following a five week trial, on Monday, four of the six defendants were found guilty of her murder, and one guilty of manslaughter, with the sixth defendant - a youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, acquitted on all charges.

READ: These are the faces of Alison McBlain's killers

For the manslaughter of Alison McBlain, Jon-Paul Chatwood was sentenced to 14 years.

Kaylib Connolly was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years.

Dean Qayum was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years.

Joshua Titterington for the murder of Alison McBlain and attempted GBH with intent of Christian Rivers was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 17.5 years.

Karis Poynton was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 13 years.