Ashley Dale murder: Two men appear in court over Old Swan shooting - trial date set

Two men appeared at Liverpool Crown court on Thursday accused of the murder of Ashley Dale in Old Swan last summer.

Ms Dale, 28, was killed after a gunman forced his way into her home on Leinster Road in the early hours of Sunday, August 21, and fired multiple shots.

The Knowsley Council worker was found in her backyard by police at around 12.40am with a gunshot wound to her body. Ms Dale, who is not believed to be the intended target, was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.

James Witham, 40, of Ashbury Road, Huyton and Joseph Peers, 28, of Woodlands Road, Roby, are charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent.

They appeared separately via video link from Dovegate prison in Uttoxeter before Judge Andrew Menary, KC, the Recorder of Liverpool.

Peers and Witham, both wearing colourful prison issue clothing, spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth.

Alex Langhorn, prosecuting, said that it was a bail determination hearing but there were no bail applications on behalf of either defendant.

He told the court that as the family of the victim were present in the public gallery, “I do not intend to go into the facts.”

Judge Menary formally refused bail for the two men and they were further remanded in custody until June 30 when they are due to enter their pleas.

A provisional date for their trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, was fixed to begin on October 3.

A third man, Kallum Radford, 25, of no fixed abode, was charged on Tuesday with assisting an offender allegedly involving a car used in the shooting and is due to appear at the same court on March 1.