Ashley Dale: Two arrested in murder investigation after woman shot dead in her garden in Old Swan

Merseyside Police have arrested a man and a woman in Formby in connection with the murder of Ashley Dale.

The Knowsley Council worker, 28, was found in the back garden of her home on Leinster Road, Old Swan, with a fatal gunshot wound at around 12.40am on Sunday, August 21.

At this stage, police do not believe Ms Dale was the intended target of intruders who broke into her home.

An extensive investigation is underway and a man and a woman from Liverpool were arrested in Formby on Wednesday night.

The man has detained on suspicion of murder and a women has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been taken into custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said: “Our officers have now made two arrests. Enquiries continue to establish the motive behind this attack, and identify all those involved.

“Although we have made two arrests we still need members of the public to come forward with information too.

“From extensive ongoing CCTV enquiries, detectives know there were people walking close to the scene at the time of the offence. If this was you, please come forward as you may without realising hold vital information to assist this investigation.”

CCTV appeal

Detectives investigating the shooting have released CCTV footage of a car being driven in the area, shortly before Ms Dale’s death.

Officers wish to speak to the occupants of the car, who may have vital information which could help in the murder investigation. A number of pedestrians can also be seen in the footage and police are eager to speak to them too.

Detective Chief Inspector Cummings said: “From reviewing CCTV footage in the area, we have also identified that there were a number of people on foot around the time of the incident. A boxing match had not long finished and so the area was relatively busy with people on foot, going home or into town after the match.

“If you were walking in the area of Leinster Road or on Prescot Road, including the crossroads near the Navigator pub between 12.20am and 12.40am on Sunday morning then please let us know. You may have seen or heard something which could really help us find those responsible.”

Family pay tribute to ‘shining light’

Ms Dale’s younger brother, Lewis Dunne, was shot dead in 2015 by a Liverpool gang who mistook him for a member of a rival crew. Their deaths are not believed to be connected.

The family of Ms Dale, said: “Our hearts are broken into a million pieces.

“Ashley was a hard working young woman, who had her entire life ahead of her. Her laugh, smile and energy was infectious in any room.

“We can’t come to terms with how this would happen to a defenceless woman in her own home. None of this makes sense and our lives will never be the same again. A senseless crime that has torn a family apart. Justice needs to be brought.”

How to contact the police

Information and video footage can shared directly with the investigation team via the police public portal -  Public Portal (mipp.police.uk).

You can also contact the police via social media @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000615873.”