Brother of Man Utd youngster charged with attempted murder

Feb 20, 2026 - 17:00

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Paddy Lacey speaks during the Pacheco v Cullen Press Conference at Mountford Hall on March 09, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) — Lacey also fought professionally as a boxer (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Former footballer and professional boxer Patrick Lacey is one of four men charged with attempted murder after the shooting of a man on a driveway in Merseyside.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries after being shot in the driveway of an address on Radway Road in Huyton on Friday 28 November.

Lacey was one of four men arrested on Thursday, now charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life; section 18 GBH (grievous bodily harm), and conspiracy to cause GBH.

John Aaron Jones, 35, of Stamfordham Drive, Allerton, John George Patrick Hughes, 31, of no fixed abode, and Bernard Flynn, 61, of Knowsley Road, Bootle have also all been charged with the above offences.

Detective Inspector Chris Clark from our Firearms Investigation Team said: ‘These coordinated warrants were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation, and all four men will appear in court today.

‘Our work continues, so I would ask that people who have yet to come forward still do so. Please do not assume that we already hold information.

‘Our team will make that assessment, and will take the appropriate action. Whether you have a first-hand account, dashcam, CCTV, doorbell or other footage, come forward.’

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EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by Antony Thompson/Prosports/Shutterstock (4989090j) Kyle Storer and Paddy Lacey during the Vanarama National League match between Cheltenham Town and Barrow at Whaddon Road, Cheltenham Cheltenham Town v Barrow, Vanarama National League - 22 Aug 2015 — Lacey played for a number of clubs including Barrow (Picture: Antony Thompson/Prosports/Shutte)

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists (outside the EU), club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images (+15 in extra time). No use to emulate moving images. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications/services. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Craig Galloway/Prosports/Shutterstock (5898877v) Paddy Lacey hammers in from close range during the EFL Sky Bet League 2 match between Accrington Stanley and Portsmouth at the Fraser Eagle Stadium, Accrington Accrington Stanley v Portsmouth, EFL Sky Bet League 2 - 17 Sep 2016 — He also played for Accrington Stanley (Picture: Galloway/Prosports/Shutterstock)

Lacey is the older brother of current Manchester United star Shea Lacey, one of the club’s highly-rated young players who broke into the first-team squad earlier this season.

His other brother Luis is also a footballer, currently playing for Macclesfield.

Patrick Lacey, 32, spent time in United’s academy before going onto play for Altrincham, Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Southport and others.

In 2023, he made his professional boxing debut, going onto win 12 of his 13 bouts.

He fought in the ring as recently as this month in Liverpool, suffering the first defeat of his career against Jack Swallow in what was considered a major upset.