Police appeal for help on fourth anniversary of murder of Merseyside grandfather-of-four

Jul 29 2010 by Staff Reporter, Maghull and Aintree Star

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a grandfather in Aintree have launched a new appeal for information on the fourth anniversary of his death.

James Stanton, 58, was shot while in his business premises, Aintree Commercial Vehicles, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, at 6pm on July 24, 2006.

Police Community Support Officers have been handing out leaflets and speaking to people outside Aintree Commercial Vehicles and at the adjacent Aintree railway station this week.

They also visited the ASDA superstore on Ormskirk Road, one of the main focal points for the community.

Detectives believe two men could be responsible for the murder and that they left the scene in a blue Toyota Avensis car (registration DM53 MKK).

The Avensis had been stolen from Sefton Street, Liverpool, on May 25, 2006, and was later found burnt out on Blindfoot Road, Rainford. The car may not have been bearing its original number plates at the time of the shooting, but police are keen to anyone who may have seen the vehicle between May 25 and the day of the murder.

Detectives are particularly interested in talking to anyone who may have witnessed the car being abandoned in Blindfoot Road, as information they may have could prove vital to the investigation team.