Patrick Lacey is among four men named in connection to a shooting
Patrick Lacey in action for Chester(Image: Rick Matthews/Chester Football Club)
An ex-Manchester United academy player has been charged with attempted murder, alongside three others, following the shooting of a man on a driveway in Huyton, Merseyside.
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital in a critical condition after being shot in the leg at around 10.20pm on Friday, November 28.
The victim was reported to have been shot twice on the driveway of an address on Radway Road in Huyton by two men on a Sur-ron bike.
Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN
Yesterday, Thursday February 19, a number of warrants were executed across Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool and four people were arrested.
Former Accrington Stanley midfielder and boxer Patrick Sean Lacey, 32, of Manor Avenue, Crosby, has now been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life; section 18 GBH; and conspiracy to cause GBH.
The following three men have also been charged with the above offences:
John Aaron Jones, 35, of Stamfordham Drive, AllertonJohn George Patrick Hughes, 31, of no fixed abodeBernard Flynn, 61, of Knowsley Road, Bootle
All four are due to appear at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens Adult Remand Court this morning, Friday February 20, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Lacey started his career with Tranmere Rovers before joining Manchester United and then Liverpool as an academy player. He subsequently played for Altrincham, Barrow, Accrington Stanley and Southport, with his Wikipedia stating he most recently played for Flint Town United Cymru Premier.
During his semi-professional football career, Lacey also competed professionally as a boxer, amassing a 10-0 record and most recently claiming a knockout victory over Owen Kirk in October 2023.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark from our Firearms Investigation Team said: “These coordinated warrants were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation, and all four men will appear in court today. 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.”
Please call 101 or contact police on social media @MerPolCC, quoting reference 25000975453. You can also report information via Merseyside Police’s website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.