These are the latest ECHO headlines this morning.
Thug broke his girlfriend's jaw because she had been for night out with friends
A thug broke his girlfriend's jaw after attacking her because she had been for a night out with friends.
Martin Howard "saw red" and subjected the mother of his child to an unprovoked assault in the street, which continued after she had been knocked to the ground. His ex had to undergo surgery and has been left with metal plates in her face as a result.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Thursday, that he and Diane Millier had a four-month-old baby and had been in a relationship for two years when she went for an evening out on February 9 this year. Howard sent her a number of messages during the night asking where she was.
READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of murdering Ashley Dale in her home
The following morning, the 36-year-old - of Bedford Road in Bootle - phoned to ask her to bring his bike to the corner of her road. He did not often visit Ms Millier's home on Planetree Road in West Derby as he did not get on with her mother, with whom she lived.
She met Howard at around 9am, but "without warning" he punched her in the face - causing her to fall to the floor. He then struck his "vulnerable" victim again in the mouth and rode off on his bicycle.
The "possessive and jealous" boyfriend then "rode around the apartment block" before returning and "asking if she was ok". Alaric Walmsley, prosecuting, said: "She was clearly not ok." Read the full story here.
Murder detectives looking at local gang 'feuds' before death of Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Murder detectives hunting the killer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel are looking at "feuds" between members of local crime groups as part of their investigation.
Senior officers confirmed a "number of names have been provided" for the killer and work is ongoing to investigate each of those leads. Today the force provided updates on the investigations into the murders of Olivia in Dovecot, as well as the separate enquiries into the shootings of 28-year-old Ashley Dale in Old Swan and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer in Dingle.
The most significant new information shared at the Merseyside Police press conference this lunchtime was the arrest of a man on suspicion of the murder of Miss Dale, and a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender in the same investigation. Miss Dale was shot dead in her home on Leinster Road after a gunman burst through her front door and fired "multiple shots" indiscriminately.
READ MORE: City comes together to call for change after Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder
Three men were also yesterday arrested in connection with the murder of Sam Rimmer, before being released on bail today. However the hunt is ongoing to identify the gunman who shot Olivia dead and wounded her mum, Cheryl Korbel, while firing at 35-year-old convicted criminal Joseph Nee on Kingsheath Avenue on Monday night as part of what is believed to be a dispute linked to organised crime.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Green and Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen told the media that a second man, who was walking with Nee when the gunman opened fire and also ran for his life, has now been identified.
Read the full story here.
Huge energy cap price hike confirmed for October as cost of living crisis worsens
The energy price cap will increase from the current £1,971 to £3,549 from October 1, regulator Ofgem has announced.
The energy regulator currently updates its price cap twice a year - in April and October. But now, the regulators will review the cap every January, April, July and October.
Ofgem says the idea of reviewing its price cap more often is so energy companies can provide more accurate pricing for customers. It means millions of households who are on a standard variable tariff will see more frequent changes to their energy bills.
READ MORE: Struggling single mum breaks down after millionaire offers her a lifeline
The current price cap was last adjusted in April this year, rising from £1,277 to £1,971 per year on average. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has previously warned that Britain will face a dire winter as the prices continue to spiral.
Earlier this week, a leading energy firm came out in support of proposals to freeze bills this winter. Octopus Energy, Ecotricity and Utilita are supporting the tariff deficit fund, which could see the price cap frozen at roughly its current level. Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive of Octopus Energy, has compared beer to gas prices, stating that if the price had risen at the same rate as energy, a pint could cost £25.
Read more here.
