Former Flint Town United midfielder Patrick Lacey has been cleared of attempted murder and conspiracy to murder charges. The 33-year-old was acquitted after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him.
Charges and allegations
Mr Lacey, of Manor Avenue in Crosby, had faced charges relating to a shooting on Radway Road in Huyton last November. A man in his twenties was rushed to hospital in a critical condition following the incident, which occurred shortly before 10.30pm on November 28.
It was alleged he had been shot with a sawn-off shotgun by two individuals on a Sur-Ron electric bike. Mr Lacey had been accused of attempting to murder Leejay Heavey.
He also faced charges of conspiracy to murder Jordan "Dusty" Thompson, possession of a firearm and ammunition, namely a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges, with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
Court proceedings
Mr Lacey had previously entered not guilty pleas to all charges and had been scheduled to face trial on October 5. However, at a hearing on September 25, the CPS confirmed it was offering no evidence against him, and not guilty verdicts were subsequently entered on his behalf.
Appearing alongside Mr Lacey in the dock on September 25 was Bernard Flynn, 61, of Knowsley Road in Bootle, who was also found not guilty of the same charges.
Two men charged simultaneously with Mr Lacey and Mr Flynn — John Jones, 35, of Stamfordham Drive in Allerton, and John Hughes, 32, of no fixed address — attended Liverpool Crown Court via video link for a pre-trial review on Monday.
Further hearings and background
The CPS confirmed that Jones and Hughes would return on October 5 for a further review, during which an application to amend the indictment would be considered. Both defendants are scheduled to stand trial on October 12 before High Court judge Mr Justice Bright.
Mr Lacey began his footballing career with Tranmere Rovers before progressing through Liverpool and Manchester United academies. He subsequently went on to represent Altrincham, Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Southport, Chester and Warrington Rylands. He has also pursued a professional boxing career, most recently competing in a bout at the MandS Bank Arena on February 7.
