Good evening, these are the latest ECHO headlines on Wednesday, June 15.
Acid attack dad felt 'skin turn to jelly' after Deli Mob hitman blinded him for money
A dangerous and ruthless hitman behind a string of shootings was jailed for life after launching a bottle of acid into a dad's face for money - leaving him with permanent injuries.
READ MORE: Acid attack dad felt 'skin turn to jelly' after Deli Mob hitman blinded him for money
Known Deli Mob gang member Jonathan Gordon, 34, offered his services on the encrypted EncroChat phone network using the handle 'ValuedBridge', and was hired by an unidentified gang boss behind the handle 'AceProspect' to carry out sickening attacks on several enemies. The messages revealed how Kirkdale based Gordon charged £6,000 for an acid attack, rising to £10,000 to permanently blind the victim.
Gordon was identified as the man behind a devastating attack on Lee Deakin, from St Helens, who was targeted on April 14, 2019 as he stepped outside his home to get a phone charger from his car. Mr Deakin remains in a constant battle to keep his sight, and even required emergency surgery this week due to complications from the attack three years on.
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Shell garage cordoned off after robbery as van crashes into lamppost
Two cordons were set up after a cash-in-transit robbery at a Shell petrol station.
Merseyside Police confirmed that at around 12.40pm officers received reports that two men grabbed a cash box from a security guard at the Shell station on Liverpool Road in Huyton. No threats are believed to have been made or injuries caused.
A short time later officers received a report that a white van had crashed into a lamppost on Elmswood Grove, a short distance from the scene of the robbery, and that the cash box had been left on the road with coins in it. CCTV and witness enquiries are currently under way.
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Extra police patrols as yobs damage church and intimidate people
Extra police patrols are being deployed after police said youths damaged a church and started intimidating people.
A dispersal zone is being introduced in Prescot Town Centre from Wednesday, June 15, following reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. The order starts at 5pm today until 4.59pm on Friday, June 17, where it will be further reviewed.
Officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents, the force said.
