Neighbours 'in shock' over Liverpool parade suspect living nearby
Neighbours have described their shock and disbelief after discovering the suspect in the Liverpool parade investigation lives close by.A 53-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remains in custody for questioning after a car ploughed into football fans during Liverpool's Premier League victory parade in the city centre on Monday.A nine-year-old girl was the youngest victim from a total of 79 casualties struck by the Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 18:00 BST.One neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said everyone was "in shock" while a mechanic, who works in the area, described the suspect as a "family man".
The neighbour said he first realised the suspect lived close by in the West Derby area of Liverpool when he noticed police officers on shift outside a property."I knew something was going on," he said."That's when I thought this is the guy."He said everyone was "in shock" and "can't believe it"."It's such a quiet estate," he added."Everyone keeps themselves to themselves as he did, so no-one really knows much about him."
Steve, who works as mechanic, said he had met the suspect when he brought the family car in for a service – most recently three months ago.He said he recognised the vehicle straightaway on the news from the registration plate."I thought 'Oh my god. I can't believe it – surely not'," he said.He said the suspect was a "softly spoken family man" who seemed "sensible"."I can't see how this has happened. It's crazy," he added.
Another neighbour said she had enjoyed watching the parade with her family before discovering what had happened."Everyone was saddened by the end of the day while watching the news – and to think that [the suspect] lives on my street is just really shocking," she said.She added that it was a "lovely" and "peaceful" place to live."I don't know him but all the neighbours down both sides of the street – we've all been friends, we all have barbecues, we've been on holidays together."It's a close knit community."
Merseyside Police said the force had been given more time to question the suspect, who was also detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs, until Thursday evening.Under laws around the detention of suspects, police forces can keep a person in custody for 24 hours without charge, while a senior officer of at least superintendent rank can sign off on an initial 12-hour extension.After that, an application can be made to a magistrates' court for further 12-hour extensions to a maximum of 96 hours - or 14 days if the offence is terrorism related.The force previously confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror related.Hundreds of thousands of jubilant Liverpool fans packed the city centre on Bank Holiday Monday and lined the 10-mile (16km) parade route as the Reds celebrated winning their second Premier League crown and 20th top-flight league title.In a press conference on Tuesday, police said it was believed the car had followed an ambulance through a road block, which had been lifted to allow medics to reach someone having a suspected heart attack.A fundraising campaign set up for those affected by the incident has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from ex-player Jamie Carragher's charity foundation.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
14 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Tulisa to recount drugs trial in new memoir detailing her career highs and lows
Tulisa Contostavlos has announced a new memoir that will detail the highs and 'unimaginable lows' of her music career, including her collapsed drugs trial in 2014. The pop singer, 36, who found fame in hip-hop trio N-Dubz, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs in 2013, but the charges were later dismissed after prosecution witness, 'fake sheikh' journalist Mazher Mahmood, was found guilty of tampering with evidence in the trial. Advertisement The book, titled Judgement, has been written using journals that Contostavlos wrote in amid the media storm following the sting operation that saw Mahmood pose as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan. In an Instagram video on Tuesday, Contostavlos said: '90% of this no one has ever known. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tulisa Contostavlos (@tulisacontostavlos) 'The story of my year in 2013 has been spoken about many times, but it has never been told in the way that it's told in my new book. 'This is living all the juiciest moments from behind the scenes. This book will have you crying one moment, on the edge of your seat the next.' Advertisement She added: 'I have given absolutely all of myself in this book, it's Sex And The City on a drugs charge.' She wrote in the caption: 'As you all know, I've been through the highs and some unimaginable lows in my career. 'For the first time, I'm sharing everything. The truth, the pain, the fallout, and the strength I discovered when my world fell apart.' The singer had been accused of arranging for Mahmood to be sold more than £800 worth of cocaine by one of her contacts following an elaborate sting for The Sun On Sunday in 2013. Advertisement During a meeting at a hotel in London, Mahmood posed as a film producer and plied Contostavlos with alcohol as they discussed an acting role alongside Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. Following the collapse of the trial Contostavlos said 'I have never dealt drugs and never been involved in taking or dealing cocaine' in a statement where she also accused Mahmood of a 'horrific and disgusting entrapment'. In 2016 Mahmood was jailed for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial when the 'King of the Sting' and his driver Alan Smith, were found guilty of plotting to pervert the course of justice. Publishing director, Ciara Lloyd, who has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the book, said: 'When I read Tulisa's proposal, I knew instantly that I wanted to publish her. Advertisement 'I remember the infamous 'Fake Sheikh' trial well and how unfairly Tulisa was treated, a story that highlighted the bias and misogyny in the press, and in our society. Tulisa Contostavlos found fame as a member of N-Dubz (Ian West/PA) 'So, to give a voice to Tulisa and her story as well as showcase her phenomenal talent as a writer is a real privilege. 'This is the perfect redemption story for the original Female Boss, and I'm so proud to be publishing her at Blink.' Contostavlos is most known for singing in hip-hop group N-Dubz who had hits with songs including I Need You, Girls and Number 1, featuring Tinchy Stryder. Advertisement In 2011 she became a judge on popular reality singing series The X Factor and a year later she released her debut solo album, The Female Boss. She also released the book, Honest: My Story So Far: The Official Autobiography, in 2012, which detailed her life growing up on a council estate in London, to making music with N-Dubz, and helping girl group Little Mix win The X Factor in 2011. The singer from Camden most recently appeared on the 2024 season of I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. Judgement will publish in hardback, ebook and audio in August 2025 from Blink Publishing.
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Two men charged with murder after boy, 4, dies in pickup truck crash
Patrick Maughan, 53, and Owen Maughan, 27, have been charged with murder after a four-year-old boy died in a crash involving two pickup trucks in Dartford, Kent Police said.
BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Domestic abuse victims offered safe spaces in East Yorkshire shops
Businesses across East Yorkshire are providing safe spaces for victims of domestic initiative, supported by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, provides people with a private area in stores to call support services or loved well as physical locations, organisations can also offer online safe websites will be accessible by a discreet button and will ensure that no trace of the victim using the service is left behind, the council said. This project is running alongside the existing Ask for Angela initiative, which enables individuals who feel unsafe, threatened, or vulnerable to discreetly seek assistance by asking bar or venue staff for "Angela." Trained personnel can then intervene by helping the individual leave discreetly, calling a taxi, or alerting authorities if Lyn Healing, cabinet member for communities and public protection, said that everybody had "a role to play in supporting victims of domestic abuse and preventing violence against women and girls. "It's fantastic to see local businesses participate in this vital initiative," she said."We encourage more organisations to sign up to create their own safe spaces."As list of the safe spaces across the county can be found on the UK Says No More to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
