Four charged over fire horror
FOUR people have been charged over the murder of a Skelmersdale man set on fire outside his house.
Robert Beattie was doused with fuel and set alight on his doorstep last year in what police believed was a targeted attack.
The 48-year-old is believed to have been attacked when he answered the door to his home in Waverley at around 1am on September 26.
He suffered serious burns and was taken to hospital in critical condition but died on October 10 after two weeks in intensive care.
Last week, a man from Skelmersdale and three others from Liverpool were charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
The Liverpool men – Joseph McEwan, 19, of Damsire Close; John O’Brien, 31, of Ingrave Close; and Connah Jenkinson, 25, of Kremlin Drive – were charged on Wednesday, March 25 and appeared in court the following day.
Paul Hart, 32, of Whitburn, Skelmersdale, was charged with the same offences as well as possession of Class A drugs and went before court on Saturday.
All four are due to stand trial in October, while five other men aged between 23 and 46 remain under investigation.
Det Ch Insp Pauline Stables, of Lancashire police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “While we have charged a number of individuals our inquiries are very much ongoing and we continue to appeal to anyone with information that could help, to come forward. .
“Our thoughts remain very much with Mr Beattie’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Anybody with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 068 of September 26. Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.