Former footballer Patrick Lacey has been cleared of attempted murder and conspiracy to murder Jordan “Dusty” Thompson after prosecutors offered no evidence against him. The 33-year-old, of Manor Avenue in Crosby, had been one of four men charged in connection with a shooting on Radway Road in Huyton in November last year.
Mr Lacey, a former Liverpool FC academy midfielder who also played for Accrington Stanley in the football league, was accused of attempting to murder Leejay Heavey. He was also charged with conspiracy to murder Mr Thompson, possession of 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.
He had previously denied all charges and was due to stand trial on October 5. However, at a hearing on September 25, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it was not offering evidence against him, and not guilty verdicts were entered on his behalf.
Co-defendant also acquitted
Bernard Flynn, 61, of Knowsley Road in Bootle, was also found not guilty of the same charges at the September 25 hearing. The two men had been charged in February following a series of raids by Merseyside Police across Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton.
The other two defendants, John Jones, 35, of Stamfordham Drive in Allerton, and John Hughes, 32, of no fixed address, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via prison video link for a pre-trial review on Monday. The CPS said they would appear on October 5 for a further review, where an application to amend the indictment would be considered.
Upcoming trial
The two men are due to stand trial on October 12 before high court judge Mr Justice Bright. The shooting on Radway Road occurred shortly before 10.30pm on November 28, with a man in his 20s taken to hospital in a critical condition after being shot with a sawn-off shotgun by two men on a Sur-Ron electric bike.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark, of Merseyside Police's firearms investigation team, said at the time: “These coordinated warrants were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation. Our work continues, so I would ask that people who have yet to come forward still do so. Please do not assume that we already hold information. Our team will make that assessment and will take the appropriate action. Whether you have a first hand account, dashcam, CCTV, doorbell or other footage, come forward.”
Mr Lacey began his career with Tranmere Rovers before joining Manchester United and LFC's academies, and later played for Altrincham, Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Southport, Chester and Warrington Rylands. He also fought professionally as a boxer, most recently at the M&S Bank Arena on February 7.
