25 August 2023 , 10:50
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A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of an environmental health worker found dead outside her home.
Ashley Dale, was discovered with a gunshot wound outside her home in Liverpool, Merseyside, on August 22 2022.
Ian Fitzgibbon, 28, from St Helens, was extradited, with the support of the NCA’s National Extradition Unit, from Spain on Thursday afternoon on a Trade and Co-operation agreement after being arrested by the Spanish National Police.
He appeared before Liverpool Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of Ms Dale on 21 August 2022, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison; possession of a prohibited weapon, namely a Skorpion sub machine gun pistol and associated ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon namely a Skorpion sub machine gun and associated ammunition.
The 28-year-old was found outside her home (Liverpool Echo)During the three-minute hearing, Fitzgibbon spoke only to give his name, date of birth and and address in Dubai. Chair of the magistrates’ bench Brian Locke sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court for a pre-trial and preparation hearing on Tuesday.
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Fitzgibbon was remanded in custody until then. He is the sixth person to be charged in connection with the 28-year-old's murder.
Miss Dale was found shot in the back garden of her home in the Old Swan area of the city, shortly after midnight on August 22, 2022. Detectives said a gunman burst through her front door and fired multiple shots "indiscriminately", one of which struck the victim in the abdomen.
The tragedy came just seven years after her brother was also killed in a mistaken identity shooting.
Julie Dale, Ashley's mother, at a new memorial park bench (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)Earlier this year, Miss Dale's family issued a statement that read: "Ashley's family would like to emphasise the devastating effects gun crime has had on our family. Her birthday being so close to Christmas made this time of year so special, but without her Christmas is going to be unbearable.
"Life has become a living nightmare for Ashley's parents, siblings and family. Her loving, kind and articulate nature showed through with the number of friends she had.
"We couldn't have been more proud of Ashley. A huge hole has been left, life will never be the same again. We miss you Ash with all our hearts, and vow that justice for 'Our Ash' will be served."