A previous hearing at the Court of Appeal was told a new witness’s evidence “could assist”
Sean Zeisz was sentenced to 42 years for the murder of Ashley Dale (Image: Merseyside Police )
Sean Zeisz will appear back before the Court of Appeal to challenge his conviction after a previous hearing was told a new witness was willing to give evidence. Zeisz “actively and intentionally encouraged the shooting” of Ashley Dale, who was murdered inside her own home on Leinster Road in Old Swan in August 2022.
Zeisz and co-defendants James Witham, Joseph Peers and Niall Barry were unanimously convicted by a jury after a seven-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court in late 2023. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 42 years for Ms Dale’s murder, conspiracy to murder her partner Lee Harrison and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon with intent to endanger life.
Zeisz previously appeared before the Court of Appeal in May 2025 as he attempted to challenge his conviction and sentence. His counsel told the court that a new witness was willing to give evidence but proceedings could not continue because the witness statement was not hand-signed.
The ECHO understands that Zeisz will now return to the Court of Appeal on February 12 and will again challenge his conviction and the length of sentence. The ECHO will provide updates from the court when Zeisz next appears.
Zeisz’s counsel, Adam Davis KC and Tim Forte KC, previously told the court they had a new witness who was willing to give evidence. Mr Davis said it was their “preliminary view” that the witness’s evidence was relevant to the case review but they wanted to make sure he was willing to give the evidence in court.
Mr Davis told the court: “The evidence was not available to the applicant at trial. It is our firm view that this evidence could assist. It is a matter for the court to admit the evidence.” He added the witness had indicated “a reluctance and fear [to give evidence] and we have to be alive to that”.
Sean Zeisz
Mr Davis told the court: “The indication is the witness was panicking, on medication as a result of these matters. He indicated he did not want to be dragged back into it, did not want his name in the papers. He indicated he’s still not alright now but is willing to provide the evidence…we are resistant to give further details.”
Jurors on the murder trial heard gunman Witham and “driver” Peers, were “dispatched” to Leinster Road to assassinate Harrison and “leave no witnesses”. They received their orders from Barry and Zeisz, who were said to have been directing operations from a flat on Pilch Lane in Huyton.
The court heard “certain events at Glastonbury Festival” in June 2022 had played an important part in the alleged motive behind the attack. This included associates of Ms Dale’s boyfriend Harrison assaulting Zeisz, who was arguing with everyone in defence of Barry. Zeisz’s partner then stayed as part of the group which included his attackers.
Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC told the trial: “It is clear that Sean Zeisz felt deeply humiliated from what had happened at Glastonbury.” The court also heard that Barry then sided with Zeisz, with this “fresh” dispute having compounded a “separate and longstanding antagonism towards Lee Harrison”, who was not present at the time of the attack.
The court heard: “Niall Barry used these new events at Glastonbury to reignite that old feud. And, as tensions simmered in Liverpool, Niall Barry made a series of threats directed towards Lee Harrison.”
Undated family handout file photo issued by Merseyside Police of Ashley Dale(Image: PA)
Following the trial, Barry was handed a 47-year sentence, Witham was imprisoned for life with a minimum term of 43 years and Peers was told he must serve at least 41 years behind bars before he will become eligible for release.
Mr Justice Goose, who presided over the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, said: “…the use of a military grade submachine gun to kill a young woman in her own home at night in a planned shooting is beyond any understanding.”
He added: “I am satisfied that Witham and Barry must be treated as equally the most culpable. Witham carried out the shooting, and it was Barry who provided the gun with the ammunition and was the protagonist in the planning. He had the greatest motive and had threatened violence to Lee Harrison previously. Peers assisted Witham in the shooting, and Zeisz actively and intentionally encouraged the shooting.”
Following Ms Dale’s death, her family said: “Ashley, our girl – our shining light. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces. Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her.”