Cyclist fights for life after three-car crash
A SOUTHPORT man will stand trial after being accused of buying a child sex doll on eBay.
Customs officials at East Midlands Airport seized the doll, which was described as being the size of a five-year-old, after it had been shipped by a seller in Hong Kong.
Anthony Taylor, 33, of Lord Street, pleaded not guilty to improper importation of an indecent or obscene article, claiming to have attempted to order an adult sex doll.
In the UK, adult sex dolls are legal, while importing a child sex doll constitutes a breach of customs laws.
Prosecuting, Daryl Pollard told South Sefton Magistrates’ Court that customs officials intercepted the doll in September 2016 and believed it was indicative of the size of a five-yearold.
Defending, Natalie Byrne said: “He ordered an item from eBay and did so not knowing it was obscene.
“He believed it was an adult sex doll which is not illegal.”
She said that police visited Taylor at his home after the sex doll was intercepted at customs.
“One he was made aware, he contacted the seller on eBay to raise his concerns.
“When he was shown the item at a police station he was horrified by what he saw.”
Taylor, who was dressed in leather jacket and jeans, pleaded not guilty and will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on December 20 for a plea and trial preparation.
ACYCLIST was left fighting for his life after a crash involving three cars. The man, 25, suffered critical head injuries when he was knocked off his bike on Saturday evening.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the cars and bike crashed at about 7.45pm on Lulworth Road.
Emergency services were called to the scene amid reports that a grey Seat Leon Cupra, a black Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA and a blue Mercedes-Benz C Class car had been in collision, before a man was knocked from his bicycle.
The driver of the Seat and blue Mercedes stopped at the scene, but the black Mercedes AMG CLA was driven off in the direction of Southport town centre.
Police found the driver a short while later that evening.
A 25-year-old man from Banks and a 26-year-old man from Bootle were subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and taken for interview.
A Merseyside police spokesman said: “Anyone who witnessed the incident, has any information, or was passing at the time and has dashcam footage is asked to contact Merseyside police.
“Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the Seat Leon and black Mercedes being driven in the minutes before the incident.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police either through social media or by calling 101 and quoting incident reference 18400045443.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.