Man admits his involvement in the gun death of council worker Ashley Dale

A MAN has admitted his involvement in killing council environmental health officer Ashley Dale, who was shot dead more than a year ago.

The 28-year-old died after being found unresponsive in the back yard of her home on Leinster Road, Old Swan, Knowsley, shortly after midnight on August 21 2022.

Detectives previously stated that a gunman had burst through her front door and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately", one of which had struck her in the abdomen.

James Witham, 41, of Ashbury Road in Huyton, is one of five men who have been charged with her murder.

He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday, September 21 2023, where he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Witham is still due to stand trial beginning on Monday, October 2, to face charges of murdering Ashley, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, possession of a prohibited weapon - namely a Skorpion submachine gun and ammunition - with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon with intent to endanger life.

Sean Zeisz, 28, of Longreach Road, Huyton, Niall Barry, 26, of Moscow Drive, Tuebrook, and Joseph Peers, 28, of Woodlands Road,Roby, have also pleaded not guilty to the same charges previously.

Ian Fitzgibbon, 28, of Heigham Gardens, St Helens, is yet to enter pleas to these alleged offences.

Kallum Radford, 25, of Trentham Road, Kirkby, denies assisting an offender.