Former footballer Paddy Lacey as been charged with attempted murder, along with three others, after the shooting of a man in Huyton, Liverpool. A man in his 20s was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being shot on a driveway on Friday, November 28.
The victim was shot twice at an address on Radway Road in Huyton by two men on a Sur-ron bike. On Thursday, February 19, a number of warrants were carried out across Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool, with four people arrested.
Patrick Sean Lacey, formerly of Accrington Stanley, 32, has now been charged with att empted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life; section 18 GBH; and conspiracy to cause GBH. John Aaron Jones, 35, of Stamfordham Drive, Allerton, John George Patrick Hughes, 31, of no fixed abode and Bernard Flynn, 61, of Knowsley Road, Bootle have also been charged.
All four are due to appear at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens Adult Remand Court this morning (Friday, February 20).
Lacey played for Tranmere Rovers, Manchester United and Liverpool as an academy player, before featuring for the likes of Altrincham, Barrow, Chester, Accrington Stanley and Southport.
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He also fought professionally as a boxer, holding a 10-0 record. He most recently knocked out Owen Kirk in October 2023.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark from our Firearms Investigation Team 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."
Please call 101 or contact police on social media @MerPolCC, quoting reference 25000975453. You can also report information via Merseyside Police's website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.