Were held, then released
TWO Liverpool men alleged to have taken part in a deadly arson attack in Skelmersdale, who were both arrested by police during the murder investigation, have both been released and will face no further action.
Skelmersdale man Robert Beattie, 48, was doused in petrol and set on fire by a group of violent drug dealers trying to protect their turf in the town.
Mr Beattie, who suffered appalling injuries, died in hospital two weeks later.
Last month Connah Jenkinson, 26, of Kremlin Close, was jailed for life after being found guilty of murder and arson with intent.
John O’Brien, 33, and Joseph McEwan, 20, who were with Jenkinson on the night of the murder, were found guilty of manslaughter and arson.
O’Brien, 32, of Ingrave Road, Walton, was jailed for 15 years while McEwan, 19, of Damsire Close, Fazakerley, was jailed for 13 years.
The three men all worked for a County Lines drug gang known as the “Ronnie and Reggie” line who were in dispute with a rival operation known as “Nathan Line.”
During the trial Jenkinson claimed that Liverpool men Terrence Walker and Paul Forster led the attack on Mr Beattie.
Jenkinson, who claimed that he sold drugs for Walker and Forster in Skelmersdale, told Preston Crown court these men played a significant role in the fatal attack on the night of September 25, 2019.
Jenkinson said that Walker and Forster went ahead of the other men and arrived at the flat first. Jenkinson said that he saw Forster shouting through the letterbox, and then saw Walker squirting a liquid from a bottle.
He said: “The door opened and I saw Bobbie. He walked backwards and Terrence followed him inside.”
Lancashire Police has now revealed that both Walker and Forster were arrested during the murder investigation. Neither man was charged with an offence.
A police spokesman said: “Forster was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson with intent.
“Walker was arrested on suspicion of murder and arson with intent.
“They were both released no further action.
“Enquiries are however ongoing to find the two outstanding suspects.”
Jenkinson said that he had travelled to Skelmersdale on the night of September 26 last year with
Walker, Forster, O’Brien and McEwan to sell drugs in the town.
Jenkinson made it clear that he was intimidated by Walker and Forster and was wary of arguing with them about what their plans were on the night.
He said that he had assumed they were going to Mr Beattie’s flat to sell drugs there, which they normally did.
But Jenkinson then described how Walker and Forster carried out a devastating arson attack at Mr Beattie’s home.
Mr Justice Turner described Jenkinson’s evidence as “elaborate lies” before sentencing him to a life with a minimum term of 30 years.
Senior officers said they are keen to trace two men in relation to the murder.
Contact the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/ operation/ 0401020119 P01-PO1 log no. 0277.