These are the latest ECHO headlines this morning.
Paedophile jailed for repeatedly raping child dies of covid
A predatory paedophile who repeatedly raped a schoolgirl and molested another girl aged under 10 died after contracting Covid-19 in prison.
John Adam, 71, became seriously ill while serving a 14 year sentence at HMP Wymott in Leyland, Lancashire, and was rushed to hospital on November 3, 2021. He died on an acute respiratory ward on November 11.
His death prompted an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), which published a Fatal Incident Report. PPO Sue McAllister concluded the care Adam received after falling ill was not equivalent to the care he would have received in the community and made a number of recommendations.
READ MORE: Alleged cocaine kingpin fugitive extradited from Dubai
Adam, formerly of Fidler Street in Thatto Heath, St Helens, was jailed in November 2019 after a jury at Liverpool Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault on two victims. The offences had taken place in Newton-le-Willows decades earlier, when Adam was in his late 30s.
The two girls lived with their secret for years but eventually found the courage to come forward in 2017 as adult women. Nicola Daley, prosecuting, told the court one victim suffered severe mental health problems after the abuse and even showed police scarring on her arms from self-harm as she gave a witness statement.
Read the full story here.
Tragic Lee-Joshua, 4, 'touched the hearts of Liverpool'
Tributes have poured in for a "kind, caring and funny little boy" who dreamed of becoming a binman.
Kirkby's very own superhero, Lee-Joshua Hodgson, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of three after "strange" symptoms. But despite being given just a five to 10% chance of survival, the youngster bravely fought the disease, with the help of his loved ones and community.
Sadly, Lee lost his fight on June 26 as mum Keishia Murphy said he "fought every last breath" and was a "real-life superhero". Describing him as a "kind, caring, generous, happy and funny little boy", she told the ECHO her young son had dreamt of becoming a binman.
READ MORE: Heartbreak as 'real-life superhero' dies, aged 4, after cancer battle
Since news of his death, tributes have come pouring in from the Kirkby community, and beyond, as the young boy touched the hearts of many through his "brave battle". One ECHO reader said he had a "great smile" as another wrote: "Rest in peace superhero. Fly high and look down on your mummy and daddy."
One person commented: "Four years old, how incredibly sad is that. Rest in peace little man", as a third added: "So so sad. Fly with the angels wee man. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends."
Read more here.
Face slashing 'may be linked' to brutal point blank shooting
A brutal face slashing may be linked to the point blank shooting of a man who was attacked while sitting at a memorial to a murdered friend.
Detectives are carrying out intensive enquiries after a gunman opened fire on a 23-year-old man in a pedestrianised area between Croxdale Road West and Croxdale Road, West Derby, on Saturday afternoon (July 2). Mobile phone footage captured by a bystander appeared to show a man standing over the victim with a handgun before seven loud bangs are heard in quick succession.
The victim survived but sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and back. He is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Police said the gunman fled the scene in a white Seat Leon car.
READ MORE: Alleged cocaine kingpin fugitive extradited from Dubai
The ECHO understands the incident may be linked to another act of extreme violence close by, which occurred at around 1.15am on June 14. Merseyside Police received reports a man had been stabbed in the face and leg outside shops on Finch Lane, before returning to an address on Altfinch Close via Colwell Road.
It is understood the victim had received a large slash wound to his face. Residents along Colwell Road and Altfinch Close at the time told the ECHO they awoke in the morning to find a "trail of blood" on the road and on parked cars.
Read more here.
