Wirral's independent local news website
Two people have been jailed in connection with the murder of Connor Dockerty today, Thursday 17 March.
23-year-old Connor was fatally stabbed in the chest in Kingsway, Huyton, on 19 April 2021 and later died in hospital.
Following a trial on Thursday 3 December, a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons was convicted of murder.
John Batey, aged 44, was convicted of assisting an offender. The 15-year-old was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 14 years years. John Batey was jailed for three years.
Detective Superintendent Siobhan Gainer, who lead the investigation said, “Connor was just a young man when his life was senselessly cut short.
“Although no sentence can bring Connor back, I hope that the result today can bring his family some sense of closure after they were put through the ordeal of a trial.
“We welcome the sentence handed to the 15-year-old boy. The repercussions of his actions will stay with him for the rest of his life and I hope that he will now reflect on this while serving his significant jail time.
“I want the sentence given to the 15-year-old boy to send a message to anyone thinking of carrying a knife that it is just not worth the risk. If you are caught carrying a knife, you are reducing your future prospects and risking prosecution and of course, tragedy. I’d urge anyone of any age to think before they consider carrying a knife, whatever the reason.
“We have been reminded all too recently of the lasting devastation that knife crime can cause in our communities on Merseyside. Tackling knife crime is not something we can do alone and will continue to work tirelessly with the public and our partners to prevent violence and remove the scourge of knife crime from our streets.
“Reducing knife crime is one of our force priorities and our message to those who might think about carrying a knife is clear: It is just not worth the risk. Every day we are out on patrols, conducting stop searches, executing warrants, putting every effort into arresting offenders and putting them before the courts.
“We regularly search land and homes where we believe knives have been stored and if you involve yourself in knife crime, it is only a matter of time before you end up arrested by police.
“We are also working closely with our communities, schools and safeguarding partners to tackle knife crime by taking a more preventative approach, working to educate, divert and influence young people away from knives and other violent crimes.
“We need educational establishments, youth groups, and parents and guardians of young people to help us spread the message that knife crime is dangerous and make young people aware of the consequences of carrying a knife – on themselves, their families and their friends.
“If you know somebody who is carrying a knife when they go out I would urge you to come forward and tell us, so we can take the appropriate action. We will act on all information reported to us to make our communities safer.”
For more information about how you can help with the issue of knife crime go to #BladeFree – OurMerseyside
If you have any information on weapons being stored carried or used in your community, please DM @MerpolCC or call 101. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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