These are the latest Liverpool ECHO headlines this morning.
Child rapist fled to Russia 'to tell new wife he was in trouble'
A child rapist who fled to Turkey and Russia has been arrested.
Martin Gill, from St Helens, absconded three days before he was due to stand trial accused of historic sex offences at Liverpool Crown Court. The 36-year-old was convicted in his absence and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison.
He was detained at Manchester Airport on Thursday last week upon his arrival back in the country, having been at large for around six months. The court heard today, Tuesday, that he had flown to Istanbul at around 12.30pm on Friday, June 3, having been due to go on trial the following Monday.
READ MORE: Mum of Rhys Jones' killer Sean Mercer admits helping son to evade justice
Catherine Skeet, defending, said her client had travelled onwards to Russia "to inform his fairly new wife of the trial and convictions he was facing". There had been no direct flights to the country due to sanctions imposed amid the conflict in Ukraine.
Gill, of Waring Aveune, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching court bail this morning and was handed an additional six months behind bars. Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "It was a flagrant decision of yours."
Read the full story here.
Liverpool health boss tells parents when to take kids to A&E over Strep A fears
Liverpool's public health boss has issued key advice to parents after a rise in Strep A infections around the country.
The UK Health Security Agency has said cases of Group Strep A streptococcus remain higher than they would typically see at this time of year in the North West.
The bacteria usually causes a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can easily be treated with antibiotics. But in rare cases it can cause serious illness - known as Invasive group A strep (iGAS).
READ MORE: People could be without parcels due to delivery drivers' mistake
Nine children have been reported to have died amid the rise in infections.
We spoke to Liverpool's Public Health Director Matt Ashton for some key guidance and information about what signs and symptoms parents should be looking out for and when action should be taken.
Some of Matt's key messages are here.
Dad took girl, 5, to hospital three times before she died of Strep A
A devastated dad took his daughter to A&E three times before she was admitted to the ICU where she later died of Strep A.
Stella-Lilly McCorkindale, five, is the ninth child to die from the infection in the UK as an outbreak has left parents worried for their children. Strep A bacteria can cause many different infections, ranging from minor illnesses to serious and deadly diseases.
They include the skin infection impetigo, scarlet fever and strep throat.
READ MORE: Mum's warning as her two children catch Strep A
While the vast majority of infections are relatively mild, sometimes the bacteria cause serious and life-threatening invasive Group A Streptococcal disease. This occurs when the bacteria has invaded parts of the body such as the blood, deep muscle or lungs.
Robert McCorkindale, from Belfast, told the Mirror his "amazing" daughter started feeling unwell on the weekend of November 26 with a cold and temperature. He said he brought her to the hospital three times in three days before she was admitted, but by then it was too late. Stella-Lilly tragically died on Tuesday (December 6).
Read more here.
