Clues to trap Anthony Clarke's killer

Jan 18 2008 by Greg O'Keeffe

View the CCTV footage here

THE wife of a Liverpool man who died after a night out in Liverpool today begged for help to solve the riddle of his final hours.

Father-of-two Anthony “AJ” Clarke from Anfield was found lying in the street in the city centre after an evening out with his wife and friends.

It is believed the popular Evertonian fell and hit his head, probably after being punched during an argument.

Mr Clarke’s wife Janet and their children Anthony, 24, and Jessica, 16, were with other family members at his hospital bedside when his life support machine was turned off three days later.

Police have not yet found CCTV footage of the exact moment Mr Clarke was injured at 3.45am on November 25 last years leaving them unable to give his heartbroken family answers.

Today Mrs Clarke said: “Whoever did this doesn’t realise what they have taken away.

“They can’t imagine the impact on me, the children, my family and AJ’s dad. All our lives have been changed.

“AJ has been all over the world and never been hurt or attacked.

“Then this happens to him on a night out in his own city where he should have been safe.”

Mrs Clarke was in Mathew Street with her husband of 25 years and four other couples celebrating her birthday on November 25 last year.

Earlier that day Mr Clarke watched his beloved Everton beat Sunderland 7-1 from his seat in Goodison’s Gwladys Street end.

As the night wore on Mr Clarke became separated from his friends and was alone when he was attacked.

She said: “The police called at 5am to tell us. I looked at my phone and saw a missed call from AJ while I was asleep.

“We all keep asking ourselves ‘what if’ we had come home together. So many ‘what ifs’ have been going through our minds.

“I met AJ when I was 18 and he was an amazing husband. He idolised his kids and thought the world of his grandson Lewis who is only two. So many people knew AJ. During his funeral the priest told us to look behind us at the hundreds of people who came to the church. It was unbelievable. Standing room only inside the church and people outside.

“He loved a laugh and a joke and went all over the world supporting Everton.

“The hardest thing now is thinking that he won’t be there when Jessica is 18 or 21 and he won’t be able to take Lewis to the park.

“He had grand plans for our 25th anniversary and wanted us to go on a cruise. All that can’t happen because of one moment in town.

“Why he was hit I’ll never understand. Why hit a man for no reason?

“I hope someone recognises the two lads from the CCTV. It might be one of their friends or family. We just want them to come forward.

“They probably didn’t mean to kill him but we still need answers.”

If you can help call police on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

View the CCTV footage here

Film of men police want to question

THESE CCTV images could help police determine how Anthony Clarke suffered the head injury which claimed his life.

Police today released these pictures showing the two men thought to have been the last people to see the 45-year-old before he was found lying in the street.

The pictures show the pair walking through Liverpool city centre from Victoria Street.

They are next captured at the scene where Mr Clarke was found, near McDonald’s in Church Street, at around 3.45am.

Minutes later they are captured on camera walking away from the scene up Church Street towards Hanover Street.

The two men were 18-25 years old, white and of slim to medium build.

They both wore dark clothing and one was wearing a short-sleeved, dark top.

DCI Tim Keelan, leading the investigation, said: “Anthony Clarke was a good family man who did a lot for the community and was very well liked.

“It seems all he had been doing on the evening of November 25 was having a nice evening out with his wife who was celebrating her birthday and four other couples.

“At some point he was separated from them but they were not alarmed because they thought he had gone elsewhere for a drink and this had happened before.

“We have two people on CCTV at the time when Mr Clarke was killed and we believe they can help us with our investigation.

“I would appeal today for them to come forward. We have other CCTV footage which shows the men which is also in the process of being viewed.”

Mr Clarke’s wife Janet and their children were at his hospital bedside when he died from his head injury three days after he was found.

Mr Clarke, a grandfather-of-one, had been out with his wife and friends around Mathew Street.

The council gravedigger, who also trained local young footballers, ended up separated from his wife and the other couples he was out with

He was known to follow Everton home and away and was a founder member of KEIOC, which campaigns against Everton Football Club’s proposed move to a new stadium in Kirkby.

View the CCTV footage here