Charges are still to be brought in two of the three murder cases that shook Merseyside in a devastating week of violence two months ago.
A black cloud remains over Merseyside over two months on from a shocking week of gun violence that resulted in the murders of three people - Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Merseyside Police made a significant break through in the case of Olivia at the start of this month.
Following an extensive investigation that saw 11 people arrested, police and the Crown Prosecution Service charged two men in connection with the school girl's murder. Thomas Cashman, 34, of Grenadier Drive, West Derby, was charged with her murder; two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of possession of a firearms with intent to endanger life.
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Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, October 3, Cashman was not asked to enter a plea during his appearance, with a four-week trial set for March 6 next year. In an earlier appearance at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, a second man, Paul Russell, was charged with assisting Cashman in relation to Olivia's murder.
The 40-year-old, of Snowberry Road in West Derby, is accused of driving Cashman to an address and disposing of his clothing. Russell was remanded into custody to appear in the crown court on October 31.
Although Olivia's case is set for the crown court, we still have not seen charges brought in the cases of Mr Rimmer and Ms Dale. Here is where the two cases currently stand.
Sam Rimmer
22-year-old Sam Rimmer was shot dead while standing with a group of friends on Lavrock Bank, Dingle at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, August 16. An inquest into Mr Rimmer's death heard the Bootle man, known to some friends as "little man Sam," had "chased off" two men on an electric bike earlier that night.
The riders are believed to have met up with another two men on a second bike, returned to the scene and opened fire, hitting Mr Rimmer with a hail of bullets. Mr Rimmer was struck in the chest and collapsed. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and rushed to hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Mr Rimmer's funeral took place at St Anthony's Church on Scotland Road, Vauxhall on September 12. The 22-year-old's coffin was accompanied by white flowers which spelled out the word "daddy."
It is still unclear if Mr Rimmer was the intended target of the gunmen or whether he was caught in the crossfire in an attempt to shoot his associations. Four males, aged between 17 and 23, have been arrested in connection with Mr Rimmer's murder and are on conditional bail as investigations continue. No one has yet been charged.
Speaking on Crimewatch Live on BBC on October 10, Detective Chief Inspector Stephen McGrath appealed for people to come forward with information regarding the "premeditated attack". Footage released by Merseyside Police showed the journey the two bikes made in the minutes after Mr Rimmer's murder.
Police traced the suspects from the scene at Lavrock Bank at 11.36pm through to Hunts Cross Avenue in Woolton, where the last sighting took place at 12.04am. DCI McGrath said: "I’d ask anyone who was in the areas described between around 11.30pm and shortly after midnight, or saw the bikes later on, to check any CCTV, dashcam, doorbell or other footage and let us know of any sightings or other information as to the movements and riders.
“Further to enquiries around the bikes, warrants and other activity continue in the Dingle and surrounding areas, and I’d continue to ask that anyone with information on the murder of Sam comes forward directly or anonymously. Don’t assume we already have the detail you hold, or guess how significant it might be. We will assess this, and do all we can to bring these offenders to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting 22000603397.
Ashley Dale
Ashley Dale, 28, was at home on Leinster Road, Old Swan, when a gunman burst through her door and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately" at around 12.40pm on August 21. She was shot in the abdomen and collapsed in the rear yard of the property, where she was spotted by a neighbour.
The Knowsley Council environmental health officer, considered a "rising star" by her colleagues, was beyond help when officers arrived. Ms Dale was laid to rest at Liverpool Cathedral in a moving ceremony on September 20 with hundreds gathering to pay their respects.
Police launched an extended appeal for information at the end of September after footage was issued of a car believed to have been driven in the area shortly before the incident was reported.
Enquiries identified the car is a grey Hyundai i30 N. The car has not yet been recovered. Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said the car was seen in the Dovecot and Page Moss areas, including in Pilch Lane. DCI Cummings said: "I want to continue to appeal to anyone who lives in these areas and may have any information about this car.
"This might range from knowing who was driving, seeing someone being picked up, or capturing further images or footage on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell devices. We also need to know where the car is now."
A small cordon around a flat wedged between two shops on Pilch Lane, Dovecot was also connected to Ms Dale's murder. Police have not given more information into the cordon at this time.
Nine people have been arrested in connection with Ms Dale's death but as of yet, no one has been charged. DCI Cummings added: “Please don’t assume that what you know or have captured is not important, or that someone else has already told us.
"A minor detail could have major significance and we will review everything that comes in and make that assessment, and it all forms part of detectives building up an evidential picture, something that can of course take time. If you haven’t already come forward, please submit any information you have directly with our investigation team through our online portal: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk). This will make sure that your information is received and acted on as quickly as possible by detectives.
“Please come forward with anything you know to help us bring those responsible before the courts and get justice for Ashley’s family.”
Anyone with any information can also contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.
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