Seven years after Terry Dunn was fatally beaten with a golf club in a daylight attack in Norris Green, his killer remains free, and his sister Sarah says the family is serving a life sentence. Terry, 49, was attacked on June 18, 2019, and died three months later on September 24 at Aintree University Hospital. Despite multiple arrests, no one has been charged.
Brutal Attack in Broad Daylight
Terry left his flat around 3:30pm on the day of the attack to withdraw money from the Credit Union. About 10 minutes later, he reached Kilrea Close, where a witness saw him being chased into an alleyway and viciously assaulted with a golf club. The suspect, described as a white man in his 20s, 5ft 7in, wearing dark clothing with his hood up, was challenged by a member of the public and fled toward the Loop Line.
Terry suffered a ruptured spleen and multiple shattered bones. The attack was so violent that doctors initially believed he had been stabbed; further investigation revealed his broken arm bone had punctured his own rib cage. He spent 12 weeks in hospital before suffering a fatal heart attack linked to his injuries.
Family's Ongoing Grief
Sarah Dunn told the ECHO: "I still feel like I'm reliving September 24, 2019. I've not been able to move forward, I can't grieve and I won't grieve until these people are brought to justice. I am living every day the same. I can't enjoy my life, I'm living the sentence that the person responsible should be living."
She appealed for witnesses: "People out there know who did it and they're not coming forward. These people are getting away with these crimes. This stigma of being a 'grass', it's just a word, they don't see the everyday battle and suffering that the families go through."
Police Investigation Continues
Four people have been arrested in connection with Terry's death, but no charges have been brought. Sarah said police have a suspect's name, but lack definitive eyewitness accounts to place him at the scene. She vowed: "It's been six years now but I won't give up. People grow old and when people are younger they don't really have a conscience. Sometimes I think I'm losing hope but I can't."
Detectives believe the attack was targeted, though the motive remains unknown. Howard Rubbery, head of Merseyside Police's Serious Crime Review Unit, said: "Terry was fatally assaulted, and his family have many questions that remain unanswered. Terry was a well-known and liked member of the Norris Green community, but for some reason he was specifically targeted and subjected to a brutal assault. We remain determined to find the person responsible."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 quoting reference 19100319269, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
