Brothers of Anthony killer hunted by Huyton murder detectives

Aug 8 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO men wanted in connection with the brutal stabbing of a Merseyside father are the brother and half-brother of Anthony Walker’s murderer, Paul Taylor.

Carl Taylor, known as “Chimpy”, and Kevin Cork are being hunted by police investigating the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old father-of-one Thomas Harrison on Sunday.

It is feared the brothers have gone underground as they have not been seen since the incident in Huyton in the early hours of Sunday.

Paul Taylor, who, alongside his cousin, Michael Barton, is serving life for the racially aggravated murder of Anthony Walker in Huyton in July, 2005, is Carl Taylor’s brother and Kevin Cork’s half-brother.

Anthony, 18, was murdered with an ice axe in McGoldrick Park, Huyton, almost exactly two years ago.

A 24-year-old man has already been arrested by police as part of the investigation into Sunday’s murder, but has since been released on police bail.

Last night, Merseyside Police said that, while they were following a number of lines of inquiry as to possible suspects, they could not confirm the identities.

They said that, while a number of names had been put forward, they believed the local community held valuable information that would help their investigation and help to trace any possible suspects.

At the same time as the police appealed for co-operation from the community, the devastated family of Mr Harrison paid tribute to “the most precious person” in their lives and made a direct plea to anyone with information to come forward.

They said: “Anyone with any information on the death of our Tommy, please, please do not hesitate to contact the police.

“We have lost the most precious person in our life, our family will never, ever be the same again.”

Friends and family of the 29-year-old gathered on Monday at the spot where he was stabbed through the heart at 2.30am on Sunday.

Around 50 close family and friends met in Edinburgh Drive, on Huyton’s St John’s estate, for an emotional tribute to Mr Harrison’s life.

Police said they had a presence in the area at the time to monitor events, but the celebration of his life passed off peacefully.

Mr Harrison died in hospital after being assaulted on Edinburgh Drive after attending a 25th birthday party at nearby St John’s social club with his girlfriend.

Fellow party-goers said an altercation broke out at the party around 30 minutes before the stabbing after Mr Harrison flicked a beer mat which accidentally hit a woman in the face.

It is thought that as he left the party and walked along Edinburgh Drive, he was approached by two men.

There was an exchange of words before he was stabbed and police believe the victim knew who his attackers were.

Witnesses said two gunshots were also fired during the assault and although spent cartridges have not been found at the scene, police have confirmed they have been searching for evidence of firearms being used.

Detectives said the offenders were in the company of others before the incident and then left the scene in a car with other occupants on board.

Mr Harrison lay dying in his girlfriend’s arms while friends called for an ambulance.

Police said he died at Whiston Hospital. Detective Chief Inspector Martin Andrew said: “We firmly believe that the answer to this dreadful murder lies locally and I would urge any witnesses to come forward as a matter of urgency.

“Tommy was not given a chance to save himself and had done nothing to deserve being set upon in such a brutal way.

“Tommy’s attackers must be caught and it is clear that local people would not want anyone to help them hide away.”

Mr Harrison leaves behind a mother, a sister and a son.

* ANY witnesses and anyone with any information are asked to contact Kirkby CID on 0151 777 6565 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

carolineinnes@dailypost.co.uk