A MAN from St Helens charged with assisting an offender in relation to the alleged murder of Knowsley Council worker Ashley Dale has made a first appearance before a Crown Court judge.

Kaullum Radford, of no fixed address, went before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, March 1. 

Radford, 25, was charged on January 31 with assisting an offender.

At around 12.40am on Sunday, August 21, last year, police officers had been called to an address in Leinster Road, in Old Swan, Liverpool, following reports of concern for a woman at the property.

READ > Police update after £400k of cigarettes and cash seized

Emergency services attended and found 28-year-old Ashley in the rear garden with a gunshot wound to her body.

Ashley was taken to hospital but the Knowsley Council worker died a short time later.  

According to the wording of the charge on the court list, Radford is accused of "taking possession" of a Hyundai I30 car "used by offenders" at an address in Waring Avenue, Parr, St Helens, with "intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution".

St Helens Star: Liverpool Crown CourtLiverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

During Wednesday's hearing, a plea and trial preparation hearing was set for June 30 this year for Radford and four co-defendants.

The 25-year-old was granted bail until then.

Niall Barry, 26, of Moscow Drive, Tuebrook, Liverpool, Sean Zeisz, 27, of Longreach Road, Huyton, have been charged with Ms Dale's murder.

Meanwhile, James Witham, 40, of Ashbury Road, Huyton and Joseph Peers, 28, of Woodlands Road, Roby, were previously charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A trial has been earmarked to start from October 3, 2023.