Lucy Hargreaves pair cleared of her murder

Dec 8 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

DETECTIVES last night appealed again for information about a man wanted in connection with the death of 22-year-old Lucy Hargreaves after two others accused of her murder were cleared.

A Judge at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday discharged Tony Downes, 20, of Woolfall Heath Avenue, and Kirk Bradley, 21, of Alt Finch Close, both Huyton, after deciding there was no case for them to answer.

Both had denied murdering the 22-year-old.

During their four-week trial, a jury heard that Lucy was shot three times at close range as she slept on a couch at her home in Lambourne Road, Walton.

Three masked men had burst in during the early hours of August 3, 2005, and shot the mother-of-three before setting the semi-detached house on fire.

Her toddler daughter was asleep upstairs and escaped when Lucy’s boyfriend jumped out of an upstairs window with her.

Gordon Cole, QC, prosecut-ing, had alleged that the men had carried out the "cold- blooded killing" as retribution for an incident in 1993 when her partner, Gary Campbell, was a passenger in a stolen car that hit and killed Mr Downes's four-year-old brother.

Now police have vowed to continue their investigation into Lucy’s death until her killers are brought to justice.

They are continuing to hunt for Kevin Thomas Parle, now 27, who is being sought in connection with Lucy’s murder and that of Liam Kelly, 16, who was killed in the early hours of June 19, 2004, on Grafton Street, Dingle.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Mulcahey said last night: "One thing which has remained clear throughout our investigation is that Lucy was an innocent victim.

“She was a young woman who was devoted to her three young children. They are now growing up without their mum.

“This was a ruthless killing, which shocked the local community, and we remain committed to finding justice for Lucy and her family. If you have any information which you have not yet shared with the police about Lucy's murder, we want to hear from you.

“Sometimes, the distance which time gives us from a shocking event can help individuals find the courage to come forward.

“If you have any detail which you may have found it difficult to talk about at the time, please search your conscience and take that step now. It's not too late."

Kevin Thomas Parle is described as white, 6ft 5in tall with a broad build. He has blue eyes, cropped ginger hair and a one inch scar on the left side of his head. He also uses the name Joseph Kenneth Parle.

He may be living abroad. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact Merseyside Police as a matter of urgency on 0151 709 6010.

ALONGSIDE the two men in the dock was Adam McNally, 18, of Townsend Avenue, Norris Green, who was cleared of burgling a house to steal a car in which the alleged killers fled.

davidhiggerson