A man battered by a gang of youths, allegedly including school-aged children, has died in hospital a week after the attack.
The victim, named by Merseyside Police today as Christopher John Molly, 55, succumbed to his injuries last night (July 19). He had been attacked in Stanley Road, Bootle, close to Bootle Strand shopping centre, at around 1.15am on July 12.
Merseyside Police said a post-mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of his death and the force will be providing support to his next of kin. Before his death, 26-year-old Jay Byrne, of Leyland Road, Southport, and a 14-year-old boy who cannot be named had been charged with assault and theft and appeared in court.
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Two boys, aged 13 and 15, were also arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and were bailed pending further enquiries. A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and two girls, aged 12 and 15, arrested on suspicion of theft also remain on bail.
Since Mr Molly's death a further man, aged 24 and from Litherland, was arrested on suspicion of murder, assault causing actual bodily harm, burglary and criminal damage. He remains in police custody for questioning.
Byrne and the 14-year-old boy appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court last week and the case was passed to Liverpool Court, where they will appear on August 11. Both were remanded in custody.
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