Latest news with #AshleyDale
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
More than 250 life skills students get dazzled up for prom
More than 250 life skills students from across Simcoe County had their prom Friday morning at Barrie North. More than 250 life skills students from across Simcoe County had their prom Friday morning at Barrie North. It was a big day for the students who dressed up, had their picture taken and danced the day away. The students arrived to the prom all dressed up and ready to go. Many excited to experience a real prom. 'Oh I put on my dress on, I did my nails. oh yeah. I got make up, I got my hair done. I'm looking forward to dancing and what I'm most looking forward to is seeing all the people,' shared Ashley Dale a Grade 9 student. Barrie North More than 250 life skills students from across Simcoe County had their prom at Barrie North on May, 23, 2025. (CTV News/Rob Cooper) The Special Education County Class Prom is put on every year at this time for life skills students in Simcoe County. The photo booth was a popular spot. Lots of pictures being taken all day. Cutting lose away from school pressure, just being a teenager is the only lesson. Even staff have a day to celebrate. 'We get to see all of our students across the county dress up in their very best. They dance, they have a great time, you can see the relationship with all of their friends. It's just a wonderful day,' shared Rhonda Stone, the event organizer. Barrie North More than 250 life skills students from across Simcoe County had their prom at Barrie North on May, 23, 2025. (CTV News/Rob Cooper) More than 125 volunteers made up of students, staff and parents have spent many weeks preparing for the prom. An experience many won't forget. 'I think I just wanted to help out because I know what prom means to me. Like, I went to my prom and it was super fun and these kids deserve a prom as well and I think it's just a real wholesome moment for every body,' said Lucie Terveld a grade 12 student at the school. More than 250 students took part in the prom and another 100 students made it all happen. Staff and students say they can't wait to make it all happen again next year.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
'My shot daughter's friends wouldn't help police'
The mother of a woman who was murdered in her own home has told how her daughter's friends refused to help detectives after her death as she urged other people to give police information or "it's never going to change". Ashley Dale, 28, was killed by men who were involved in a drug feud with her boyfriend Lee Harrison in her Liverpool home in the early hours of 21 August 2022. Her mum Julie said after "some soul-searching" she had "put herself in those girls shoes" and realised they were scared to speak up. But she said there were "ways to give information" and urged others to co-operate with police . Four men were jailed for life for Ms Dale's murder. James Witham, 41,who fired the Skorpion sub-machine gun, Joseph Peers, 29, Niall Barry, 26, and Sean Zeisz, 28, were convicted at Liverpool Crown Court. Harrison, now 27, who was jailed in February for drugs trafficking, had also been "totally uncooperative" with the murder inquiry, the trial heard. The jury heard Ms Dale's own voice describing the falling out between her partner and Barry, as voice notes which she recorded and sent to friends in the two months before her murder. The WhatsApp voice notes that helped solve a murder But Julie Dale said the same close friends had not been willing to go to court. "People held back on stuff and it's difficult because I've had to - again after soul-searching – try and put myself in those girls' shoes and I know people are scared," she said. "But there are ways that you can give information because if we don't do that, it's never going to change." Ms Dale has been working with Knowsley Council – where her daughter worked as an environmental health officer - to launch the Be the Change scheme to help steer girls and women away from those involved in serious crime. It involves sessions, funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership, which aim to empower women to reclaim their communities. Francine McKeown, crime and communities manager at the authority, said: "In and around violence and organised crime, there's always a mum, a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend. "And actually most people want to live peaceful, happy lives – free from violence." Some of the women who attended sessions were asked by BBC Breakfast about speaking up. "It feels safer almost to hide away and not speak out and just keep yourself to yourself, " one woman said. Another added: "I think it's just because you feel like you protect your family by not speaking out." Fitness instructor Lauren Ruane said: "You look around the community, there's 100% more good people than bad, but it's when the bad dominates through fear and we're trying to break that cycle. "When you bring women and mums together, I genuinely do believe that magic happens - a real ripple effect goes back out into the community." Ms Dale has been sharing her daughter's experiences with young women and girls to deter them from making poor relationship choices, saying: "I can't let her death be in vain." "Ashley was just a totally normal woman – she had never been involved with the police, had a job, had been to university, got a degree, had just been promoted. "Yet she wasn't immune to this." Councillor Shelley Powell said: "We've all got to be the change - steer people in a different direction to give people the confidence to not tolerate the bad things going on." 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. 'My girl chose a boy involved in serious crime' How boyfriend drug feud led to Ashley Dale's death Murder victim's mum calls killers 'monsters' Four guilty of murder after row at Glastonbury How WhatsApp voice notes helped solve a murder
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Ashley Dale: 'My murdered daughter's friends wouldn't help police'
The mother of a woman who was murdered in her own home has told how her daughter's friends refused to help detectives after her death as she urged other people to give police information or "it's never going to change".Ashley Dale, 28, was killed by men who were involved in a drug feud with her boyfriend Lee Harrison in her Liverpool home in the early hours of 21 August 2022. Her mum Julie said after "some soul-searching" she had "put herself in those girls shoes" and realised they were scared to speak up. But she said there were "ways to give information" and urged others to co-operate with police . Four men were jailed for life for Ms Dale's murder. James Witham, 41,who fired the Skorpion sub-machine gun, Joseph Peers, 29, Niall Barry, 26, and Sean Zeisz, 28, were convicted at Liverpool Crown now 27, who was jailed in February for drugs trafficking, had also been "totally uncooperative" with the murder inquiry, the trial jury heard Ms Dale's own voice describing the falling out between her partner and Barry, as voice notes which she recorded and sent to friends in the two months before her WhatsApp voice notes that helped solve a murderBut Julie Dale said the same close friends had not been willing to go to court. "People held back on stuff and it's difficult because I've had to - again after soul-searching – try and put myself in those girls' shoes and I know people are scared," she said."But there are ways that you can give information because if we don't do that, it's never going to change." Ms Dale has been working with Knowsley Council – where her daughter worked as an environmental health officer - to launch the Be the Change scheme to help steer girls and women away from those involved in serious involves sessions, funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership, which aim to empower women to reclaim their communities. Francine McKeown, crime and communities manager at the authority, said: "In and around violence and organised crime, there's always a mum, a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend. "And actually most people want to live peaceful, happy lives – free from violence." Some of the women who attended sessions were asked by BBC Breakfast about speaking up. "It feels safer almost to hide away and not speak out and just keep yourself to yourself, " one woman said. Another added: "I think it's just because you feel like you protect your family by not speaking out."Fitness instructor Lauren Ruane said: "You look around the community, there's 100% more good people than bad, but it's when the bad dominates through fear and we're trying to break that cycle."When you bring women and mums together, I genuinely do believe that magic happens - a real ripple effect goes back out into the community." Confidence boost Ms Dale has been sharing her daughter's experiences with young women and girls to deter them from making poor relationship choices, saying: "I can't let her death be in vain.""Ashley was just a totally normal woman – she had never been involved with the police, had a job, had been to university, got a degree, had just been promoted. "Yet she wasn't immune to this."Councillor Shelley Powell said: "We've all got to be the change - steer people in a different direction to give people the confidence to not tolerate the bad things going on." 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.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
'My girl chose a boy involved in serious crime'
The mother of a woman who was shot dead by a gunman who was targeting her boyfriend has warned young women of the dangers of making poor relationship choices. Ashley Dale, 28, was murdered in August 2022 when James Witham burst into her Liverpool home and began firing in search of her partner, following a drugs feud. Her mother Julie said women should consider the men they get involved with and resist chasing lavish lifestyles often glamorised on social media - which can be surrounded by crime. "Ashley was a normal girl from a normal family and the worst tragedy has happened to her because of the relationship choices that she made," Ms Dale said. "She chose a boy who that was involved in serious and organised crime, namely drug dealing." Speaking at an event for teenage girls as part of a Merseyside Police campaign about the dangers of violence against women, she said her daughter's choice led her to be surrounded by dangerous people. She said she believes Ashley knew what she was getting into but there was "such a massive culture" in big cities of people being involved in drugs activity that it has "become the norm". "Ashley was aware from the outset that [her boyfriend] didn't have a job," she said. "He wasn't getting up and going to work like Ashley was every day. "It's the norm and I don't think Ashley thought she was doing anything wrong." She described how her daughter's boyfriend had become involved in a feud with a group of men who had initially been his and Ashley's friends. "Four to five years later they burst into her home and killed her. It's about choices," she said. "She made that choice to be with that boy and ultimately it cost her her life." Four men were jailed for life for murder following the killing, which involved a sub-machine gun. Ms Dale continued: "It's very important that we make [women] aware early on. "Ashley was in her mid 20s, she knew right from wrong. It can happen to anyone at any age." She also said girls seeing glamorous lifestyles on social media can lead to them to get involved with men make who money through criminal activities. "Seeing people who've got flash lifestyles, designer clothes, designer handbags and wanting that, and unfortunately a lot of the times they're getting that by wrongdoing," she said. "I'm grieving. I'm in unimaginable pain every single day. But if I can make a difference to just one girl my job is done." 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. Murder victim's mum calls killers 'monsters' Four guilty of murder after row at Glastonbury Ashley Dale's mum grateful for park tribute
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Lee Harrison gives thumbs up in court as police recover 'ugly object' from bedroom
The boyfriend of murder victim Ashley Dale was caught with a "zombie machete" after he was stopped by police. Officers had found the "ugly looking object" in his bedroom after he had attempted to conceal a bag of drugs by kicking them underneath a car. Liverpool Magistrates Court heard today (March 11) how plain clothes officers stopped a BMW that Harrison was the passenger of. The vehicle was "registered and insured out of the Merseyside area". The stop occurred on September 19 last year, and the 27-year-old was searched "due to his demeanour". During the search a snap bag containing ketamine was seen by his feet. READ MORE: EasyJet flight from Manchester Airport nearly crashes into mountain with 190 on board READ MORE: 'I've killed two people. That's it, my life is over" Diana Przemecka, prosecuting, described how he attempted to kick these drugs under the vehicle, but was unsuccessful in doing so. Harrison went on to tell the PCs that it was "just a little tiny bit of ketamine", adding: "It's ket, it's a bag of ket." This led to him being taken to his then home address on Liverpool Road in Huyton where, upon a further search, a second small bag of the class B drug was seized from his person. A "zombie style machete" was meanwhile one of a "number of exhibits" which were recovered from his bedroom. Harrison, was the target of a devastating shooting which saw Ashley Dale killed in her own home on Leinster Road in Old Swan aged 28 in 2022 as reported by the ECHO. His previous convictions include two offences of possession of a bladed article in a public place. Joseph Bleasdale, defending, told the court: "He has complied with the police since the beginning of these proceedings. He is currently serving a lengthy custodial sentence for unrelated matters. "It is an ugly looking object. There is no getting around that. It has not been taken out in public or used to threaten anybody. It was found in his bedroom. There is a vast difference between that and somebody who brings these items out in public." Harrison admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and possession of ketamine. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a navy blue tracksuit top, he was sentenced to eight weeks in prison by the magistrates panel. However, this term will be served concurrently to an imprisonment of five years he was handed earlier this year for drug trafficking offences. Harrison responded by saying "so it runs with this one, yeah?" and putting his thumb up to the camera, with forfeiture and destruction of the machete and ketamine also being ordered. Liverpool Crown Court heard last month that he and his co-defendant Terence Rice, of Bearwood Road in Kirkby, supplied class A drugs on a county lines model in an operation known as the "Kyle Line". An investigation found they had sold heroin and crack cocaine to users "on at least 247 occasions", with the estimated quantities involved totalling 222.g. Holly Menary, appearing for the prosecution on this occasion, detailed how these illicit substances came with a street value of between £8,892 and £22,230. Their involvement was revealed after Merseyside Police stopped a BMW X3 on Jennifer Avenue in Kirkdale on the evening of November 25 last year, the vehicle having travelled through the Wallasey Tunnel moments beforehand. Rice was driving at the time, with an "agitated and nervous" Harrison in the passenger seat. His iPhone was seized at this time, although he refused to provide PCs with the pin code. A Nokia mobile phone and £920 were also recovered from the centre console. Ms Menary added: "When the defendants were asked who the Nokia phone belonged to, they both said it was not them. Clearly, that was a lie. The phone contained the Kyle Line. "Each defendant at times held the line and were in contact with each other when the other one was holding the line. Mr Rice used the line to contact his partner. Bulk messages were sent out to over 100 different users. This is indicative of both defendants being in control of the line at different times." Officers then attended Harrison's home address, gaining entry with a key found on him. His mum Sharon Harrison was inside the three bedroom property at the time. When his bedroom was searched, "a number of items consistent with drug supply, including a block of cocaine" valued at between £4,760 and £11,900 were found. Other drug paraphernalia discovered including several white plastic bags, a mixing bowl containing brown powder, an adulterant for cocaine and a set of scales. Harrison's mum's bedroom was meanwhile found to contain "other items consistent with use for the same purpose", including a bag of white powder, three phones and also a snap bag containing brown herbs. Bags "containing remnants of white powder" were meanwhile seized from the living room.
