Crime scenes are dotted across Liverpool and St Helens in a probe that has seen grim discoveries and streets evacuated
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Officers stand outside Gerards Court.
Officers stand outside Gerards Court. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
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An investigation spanning three crime scenes across Merseyside has led to the discovery of human remains and Liverpool streets being evacuated. A police probe was launched in early January after officers received reports of a "concern for safety". A house in Anfield was searched, and later that night, officers made a grisly discovery at a flat in St Helens.
Twice in two days, the bomb squad was called to the Anfield scene after "suspicious powder" was discovered. A 65-year-old man awaits trial after being accused of preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner in the execution of their duty.
This is how the case unfolded, day by day.
January 8: Police storm homes and grim discovery made
Police at the scene this morning
Police at the scene outside Gerards Court on January 9, the morning after human remains were discovered at a flat.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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On Thursday January 8, raided a terraced house on a quiet Anfield street, a few houses down from a primary school. Neighbours reported hearing sounds of "open the f***ing door" as police stormed the house in the early afternoon.
Later, officers returned in forensic suits and used a crowbar to prise the door open before the two-up, two-down was searched.
Police said they received reports of a “concern for safety” around 11.30pm, and a second address — a flat at Gerards Court, Hawes Avenue, St Helens — was raided. Police discovered “human remains”.
Merseyside Police scene off Douglas Road on Edgworth Road, Anfield back alleyway.
Merseyside Police scene off Douglas Road on Edgworth Road, Anfield back alleyway, January 9. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
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George Gordon, 65, was arrested “just hours after the incident was reported”, police said, and was held in custody while he was questioned by detectives.
Detective Chief Inspector Tracy Allen said the information was "shocking and distressing" for the local community.
January 9: 'Quiet and peaceful' street where human remains found
Police at Gerards Court in St Helens today
Police forensic tent at Gerards Court in St Helens on January 9. (Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Neighbours living in flats around Gerards Court woke on January 9 to find a white forensic tent erected outside their windows and a mobile police station parked up outside.
Police confirmed the scene was linked to the raid at Douglas Road, where a mobile police station was also in place. When the ECHO arrived at Gerards Court on January 9, CSI officers wearing white suits were back and forth to their vans carrying objects from the flat into police vehicles
Residents described how this place was usually "such a quiet row of houses". One woman said: “I saw the police but I don’t like to read the bad news. It’s usually really quiet and peaceful around here, you never get any bother except bonfire night, but that’s standard. We’ve lived here around nine years and there’s never been any bother."
January 12: George Gordon appears in court
George Gordon has been charged with preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner
George Gordon has been charged with preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner(Image: Trinity Mirror)
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On January 12, police announced they had charged a man in connection with the grisly discovery at Gerards Court. George Gordon, 65, was arrested at the scene.
He was charged with preventing lawful and decent burial of a dead body and obstructing a coroner in the execution of their duty. Police also revealed a 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Gordon appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court that morning. Appearing in the dock in a wheelchair and wearing a grey prison issue jumper while sporting receding grey hair, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a brief, 11-minute hearing and was not asked to enter any pleas.
Gordon’s case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court due to the seriousness of the allegations. He was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on February 9, with no application for bail being made on his behalf.
January 20: Anfield search hampered by 'upkeep of property'
Police at a house on Douglas Road in Anfield.
Police at a house on Douglas Road in Anfield on January 20.(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Police remained on Douglas Road twelve days after the raid. Detective Inspector Dave Jones told the ECHO: "It is vital that a full forensic search of Douglas Street takes place to establish if it is relevant to the investigation and due to the upkeep of the property that is taking longer than normal."
Douglas Road resident Andrew Robinson told the ECHO: "They’re not telling us anything about what is happening. My kids are frightened. The amount of activity has been ridiculous.
"Yesterday there were two forensic vans, two mobile police stations, and people in white suits coming out the house. There’s been a private hire removal van posted at the end of the alley.
"It’s disconcerting. I get it’s an ongoing investigation, but they could knock on the door and let us know that there’s going to be lots of people coming and going. They need to tell us what’s going on."
Neighbour Alison Bohl, 58, said: "It’s intimidating. They’re not telling anyone anything. It’s a frightening thing to happen on your doorstep."
January 21: Third scene linked to investigation
Police in Moss Bank, St Helens, at a third police scene linked to a murder probe
Police in Moss Bank, St Helens, at a third police scene linked to a murder probe
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On January 21, police confirmed a third scene was linked to the investigation into the human remains find at Gerards Court. Police officers had put a cordon in place on Silverdale Grove in Moss Bank, St Helens.
A blue forensic tent had also been erected in front of a garage. A covered vehicle and a disused boat were in the centre of the cordoned-off area.
February 1: Bomb squad called to Anfield
Police cordon off Douglas Road
Police cordon off Douglas Road, February 1. (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
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On Sunday, February 1, Douglas Road was evacuated after police discovered a "suspicious white powder" at the scene. Neighbours were evacuated and a cordon was put in place before the army bomb squad arrived.
Otterspool Prom was evacuated later that afternoon before a controlled explosion was carried out. Around ten properties were evacuated on both sides of the road around 2.30pm.
The following day, local resident Andrew Robinson told the ECHO: "What happened yesterday proves that there’s stuff in there that we should have been told about. I want to know if it’s safe to walk past that place, or if it’ll go pop."
February 2: Anfield street evacuated again
Police scene and Bomb Disposal around Douglas Road in Anfield, Liverpool
Police scene and Bomb Disposal around Douglas Road in Anfield, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
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The very next day, at around the same time, Douglas Road residents were told to leave their houses again by police. More powder had been discovered. The bomb squad were on the way.
A cordon was put in place at both ends of the street before the bomb disposal team arrived, with soldiers suited up in camouflage unloading boxes from the van before pulling on protective clothing.
Speaking to the ECHO at the cordon, resident John Owens, 45, said: "We went through all of this yesterday and they won’t tell you what’s going on.
"They just said you’ve got to go. I feel safe in my home but we want to know more. Was it a bomb or stuff to make a bomb? It makes you unsettled."
Neighbour Andrew Robinson said: "They should have gone through that house with a fine-tooth comb as soon as they had the bomb squad on the scene yesterday. We'd have taken the hit for them to make sure it was safe."
Anfield Road Primary had to change the entrance from which they released their young pupils to parents. Residents contacted the ECHO to say the road had reopened before 6pm.
Police scene and Bomb Disposal around Douglas Road in Anfield
Police scene and Bomb Disposal around Douglas Road in Anfield (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
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A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said several bags of white powder were found inside an address as part of an ongoing investigation.
They said as a result, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended to remove and test the substance. It was determined that a controlled explosion was not required on this occasion and the powder has now been safely disposed.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Residents who were evacuated for their own safety have now been allowed to return. We would like to thank them for their patience while emergency services dealt with the incident.
“We don’t take a decision to evacuate residents lightly and we appreciate it must be difficult for those affected, particularly if children or elderly residents live in the house.
“We are under no illusion as to how disruptive the last two days would have been to residents. However, the safety of the public is paramount and we will always take the necessary action to protect our communities.
“The ongoing police presence on Douglas Road is in connection with an investigation into the discovery of human remains in a flat in Gerrards Court, St Helens on 8 January and we will continue to search the premises until we are satisfied all evidential opportunities have been captured.”