A former academy player at Manchester United and Liverpool has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that took place in Huyton last November.
Patrick Lacey, 32, appeared at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens Adult Remand Court on Friday, alongside three other men facing the same charge.
The incident occurred on November 28 when a man in his 20s sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
Lacey, who played for clubs including Accrington Stanley and Barrow during his professional career, was arrested following coordinated police raids on Thursday.
The alleged shooting took place on the driveway of a property on Radway Road, with emergency services responding to reports of the incident.
The victim was transported to hospital suffering from serious injuries.
Merseyside Police executed extensive search warrants across three areas, targeting locations in Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool as part of their investigation into the shooting.
Lacey was among those taken into custody during the operation.
A former academy player at both Manchester United and Liverpool has been charged with attempted murder
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Accrington Stanley FC
Detective Inspector Chris Clark, of Merseyside Police’s Firearms Investigation Team, described as “coordinated warrants” conducted as part of an ongoing inquiry.
Beyond the attempted murder charge, Lacey faces several additional serious offences.
These include conspiracy to murder, possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to cause GBH.
Three co-defendants have been charged with identical offences.
The alleged shooting took place on the driveway of a property on Radway Road
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John Aaron Jones, 35, resides at Stamfordham Drive in Allerton.
Meanwhile,John George Patrick Hughes, 31, is listed as having no fixed address.
And Bernard Flynn, 61, lives on Knowsley Road in Bootle.
All four defendants made their court appearance on Friday following their arrests the previous day during a police operation.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark urged anyone with information to contact the police
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Lacey’s professional football career was spent predominantly in England’s lower divisions, with his last club appearance coming in 2023.
Since stepping away from the pitch, he has pursued boxing and currently holds a record of 12 wins against a single defeat.
Detective Inspector Clark urged anyone with information to contact the police.
He 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.”
