On a late summer's evening in August last year, Kingsheath Avenue was no different to any other suburban Merseyside street.
Over on the corner, regulars at Dovecot Labour Club - a watering hole affectionately known as the Bunker due to its scarcity of windows and natural light - drank up after watching the Monday night football on the TV, Liverpool FC having fallen to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United along the M62 at Old Trafford. Joseph Nee had also been watching the game nearby at his golfing friend Timmy Naylor's house, leaving on foot after the final whistle alongside Paul Abraham - who was plotting a diversion to the chippy before turning in ahead of an early start for work in the morning.
Cheryl Korbel had been out for tea at the Toby Carvery on Queens Drive with her nine-year-old daughter Olivia, a small treat as the long summer holidays began to draw to a close. Olivia, the youngest of her three children, had gone to bed but was up and down, restless due to the heat of the night.
