Police issue further appeal 15 years after murder of teenager in Dingle

We’re offering a £20,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest of Kevin Parle on the 15th anniversary of the murder of teenager Liam Kelly.

Sixteen-year-old Liam was fatally shot in Grafton Street, Dingle in the early hours of Saturday 19th June in 2004.

What happened?

Liam had been driven to the Grafton Street area by a friend in order to meet an associate when, at around 2am, he was shot as he got out of his friend's silver Vauxhall Astra close to the junction of Draycott Street.

Liam suffered one gunshot wound to his chest, which proved fatal, and a second gunshot injury to his right arm. He managed to seek help from a house in Grafton Street and the emergency services were called. However paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

A full-scale murder investigation was launched by Merseyside Police. Officers believe the 16-year-old was approached by two men from different directions, both of whom were armed with a firearm. Enquiries have led them to establish that Liam tried to run away but was shot as he tried to get into a house. He died as a result of the shotgun injury to his chest.

Arrests:

Several people, including Kevin Parle, were arrested in connection with the murder. Parle was questioned and released on police bail. He failed to answer bail and a warrant was later issued for his arrest.

Kevin Thomas Parle

Detectives are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Kevin Thomas Parle, now aged 39, from Liverpool, who is wanted on suspicion of the murder of Liam.

Kevin, who also uses the alias Joseph Kenneth Parle, is described as white, 6ft 5ins tall and of broad build. He has blue eyes and a 1-inch scar on the left side of his head. He has been known to have cropped ginger hair but his hair colour or style may have changed over time. We have issued a picture of what we think he could look like now.

He is known to have links to the Torrevieja area of Spain's Costa Blanca however he could be in one of numerous different countries.

“Loyalties and peoples circumstances change, making me hopeful that we will bring Liam’s family justice”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker said: “Despite time passing, we are continuing to investigate Liam’s murder. His family have suffered greatly knowing that Kevin Parle could be out there somewhere and hasn’t been put before the courts.

"Kevin has denied a teenager reaching major milestones in his life – including family celebrations, birthdays, careers and relationships - something so many of us take for granted.

"When Liam was murdered, his mother Mary made a heartfelt plea directly to his friends and associates where she begged them to tell the police anything that might help us bring his killers to justice.

"Today, I am reiterating that important appeal in the hope that someone will now find it in themselves to do the right thing and come forward.

"A £20,000 reward still stands for any information that leads to the arrest of Kevin. It has been over a decade and I firmly believe loyalties and peoples circumstances change, making me hopeful that we will bring Liam’s family and friends justice.”

Please DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK or call 101 quoting 0506060094 if you have information.

For guidance: While Parle has been outstanding, three other people have been convicted for the murder and sent to prison.