Two men arrested on suspicion of murdering council worker

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation into the killing of a council worker.

A 40-year-old and a 28-year-old, both from Huyton, Merseyside, were arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder and possession of a firearm with intent, by detectives investigating the death of Ashley Dale, 28, who was found with a gunshot wound in the back garden of her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, last year.

Officers were called to an address in Leinster Road at about 12.40am on August 21 after reports of concern for a woman at the property.

Ms Dale, an environmental health officer for Knowsley Council, was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

She is not believed to have been the intended target of the killing.

Merseyside Police also said a 25-year-old man from St Helens has been taken to a police station for questioning on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three men have previously been arrested as part of the investigation.

The total number of people arrested in connection with Ms Dale’s death is 15.

On her birthday in December last year, her family issued a statement which said: “On what would have been Ashley’s 29th birthday, her loss is beyond words, the family have been torn apart and life can never be ‘normal’ again.

“Her birthday being so close to Christmas made this time of year so special, but without her Christmas is going to be unbearable.

“Life has become a living nightmare for Ashley’s parents, siblings and family.

“Her loving, kind and articulate nature showed through with the number of friends she had. We couldn’t have been more proud of Ashley.

“A huge hole has been left, life will never be the same again.

“We miss you Ash with all our hearts, and vow that justice for ‘Our Ash’ will be served.”

Ms Dale’s death was one of three fatal shootings within a week in Liverpool last year, with nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel killed in her home in Dovecot on August 22 and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer shot in Dingle on August 16.

Anyone with information can contact police on social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference 22000615873.