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  "path": "/sport/football/patrick-lacey-charged-attempted-murder-shooting",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-20T18:21:02.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "FA concludes investigation into Jim Ratcliffe after immigration comments as verdict revealed",
    "Tottenham suffer humiliation as Swedish politician takes swipe referring to economy as 'Spursy'",
    "Oliver Glasner hints at immediate Palace exit as 'crunch talks' begin after new public statement",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nA former academy player at Manchester United and Liverpool has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that took place in Huyton last November.\n\nPatrick Lacey, 32, appeared at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens Adult Remand Court on Friday, alongside three other men facing the same charge.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe incident occurred on November 28 when a man in his 20s sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.\n\nLacey, who played for clubs including Accrington Stanley and Barrow during his professional career, was arrested following coordinated police raids on Thursday.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe alleged shooting took place on the driveway of a property on Radway Road, with emergency services responding to reports of the incident.\n\nThe victim was transported to hospital suffering from serious injuries.\n\nMerseyside Police executed extensive search warrants across three areas, targeting locations in Knowsley, Sefton and Liverpool as part of their investigation into the shooting.\n\nLacey was among those taken into custody during the operation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDetective Inspector Chris Clark, of Merseyside Police's Firearms Investigation Team, described as \"coordinated warrants\" conducted as part of an ongoing inquiry.\n\nBeyond the attempted murder charge, Lacey faces several additional serious offences.\n\nThese include conspiracy to murder, possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to cause GBH.\n\nThree co-defendants have been charged with identical offences.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * FA concludes investigation into Jim Ratcliffe after immigration comments as verdict revealed\n  * Tottenham suffer humiliation as Swedish politician takes swipe referring to economy as 'Spursy'\n  * Oliver Glasner hints at immediate Palace exit as 'crunch talks' begin after new public statement\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nJohn Aaron Jones, 35, resides at Stamfordham Drive in Allerton.\n\nMeanwhile,John George Patrick Hughes, 31, is listed as having no fixed address.\n\nAnd Bernard Flynn, 61, lives on Knowsley Road in Bootle.\n\nAll four defendants made their court appearance on Friday following their arrests the previous day during a police operation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLacey's professional football career was spent predominantly in England's lower divisions, with his last club appearance coming in 2023.\n\nSince stepping away from the pitch, he has pursued boxing and currently holds a record of 12 wins against a single defeat.\n\nDetective Inspector Clark urged anyone with information to contact the police.\n\nHe 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.\n\n\"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.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Manchester United and Liverpool former academy star charged with attempted murder after shooting"
}