CROSBY & LITHERLAND
22 August 2018
Vol 25 ● Issue 34
www.champnews.com
Handgun recovered from garden shed in fifth firearm find since April A GUN has been recovered by police from the garden shed of a house in Thornton. Merseyside Police were sent to St William Road shortly after 10.40am on Friday, August 17 to reports that a handgun had been found at a property. Specialist firearm officers attended to seize the weapon, which has been taken for testing, and a forensic examination of the scene took place. Chief Inspector Jerry Harris said: “This recovery means yet another firearm has been taken off our streets and out of the hands of criminals who use such weapons to cause fear, intimidation or harm in our communities. “We are delighted to have removed a handgun from circulation. “Since April 2018, working on community intelligence, Merseyside Police has recovered five firearms from within the south Sefton area. “Investigations are ongoing in relation to those seizures and we will continue to be proactive in our efforts to find all dangerous weapons, using all available tactics. “This recovery illustrates how vital Information from our communities is, so anyone with information about those involved in gun crime, or who knows where weapons are being stored, please contact us.”
INSIDE THIS WEEK... Prescot Cables Reserves paid their own tribute at their weekend match.
YOUNG FOOTBALLER DIED AFTER PLAYING THE GAME HE LOVED Report by Tom Martin TRIBUTES have been paid to a young footballer from Crosby who died last week after playing the game he loved. Jack Riding, 18, passed away in hospital on Wednesday, August 15 after taking ill two days earlier when he was playing fivea-side football with friends. The former Sacred Heart College pupil played 11-a-side for Prescot Cables Reserves and they posted an emotional tribute on social media. The club said: “Everyone who had the privilege to know Jack is devastated and heartbroken by the news. “Everyone at the club sends out their love to Jack's family and friends. RIP Jack Riding.” A spokesperson for Sacred Heart said: “The college community is both shocked and devastated at the loss of Jack, a young man of talent and kindness who had a great
Jack Riding
future in front of him. “At this time our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his friends and all of those touched by this tragic loss.” News of Jack's death has brought the footballing community in Liverpool together in their tributes, from non-league
teams to Premier League clubs Everton and Liverpool. Everton supporters gave a round of applause in the third minute of their home game against Southampton last Saturday in memory of Jack, who wore the number three shirt for Prescot Cables Reserves. And Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson organised a Reds home shirt to be signed by his team-mates before it was donated to Jack's club. Meanwhile, nearly £7,000 has been raised through an online fundraising page, which will be donated to his family. The JustGiving page reads: “Our thoughts are with Jack's many friends, and particularly with his family. It is hard to even imagine the scale of their loss. “Jack was a promising young fooballer, who sadly has passed far to young. He was playing the game he loved when it happened.” To donate to Jack's fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jackriding
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