Criminal charges against a woman who was shot in the stomach by police during a standoff have been shelved.
Sonia Price remained in hospital for 11 months after being struck in the lower abdomen by a single bullet in the street in Toxteth in July 2020.
The 56-year-old was subsequently charged with making threats with a bladed article against a Merseyside Police officer as the incident unfolded. But this count was ordered to lie on the file by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday, after the prosecution was found not to be in the public interest.
READ MORE: 'Untouchable drug gang' targeted by 200 officers in morning raids
Price, of Warley Road in Blackpool, was said to have made threats with a knife towards an officer - named in court only as "G" - at the junction of North Hill Street and Lothian Street on the afternoon of July 9 2020. She also reportedly made threats towards a mum and her 10-year daughter, as well as a cyclist, while wielding the weapon - although she was never charged in relation to this.
The defendant was left fighting for her life after suffering the gunshot wounds, being rushed to hospital in a critical condition and undergoing surgery. Price was eventually discharged in June 2021.
She had only moved into a flat in the area the day before the shooting. Neighbours stated they had seen the mother throwing items including a bottle of wine, a vase and kitchen implements out of the window onto the lawn below before the firearms discharge.
Price did not appear in the dock this afternoon due to illness. Brendan Carville, defending, instead entered a not guilty plea to the charge of making threats with a bladed article on her behalf.
Ian Whitehurst, prosecuting, said "the crown had reviewed the matter with some care and decided to lie the count on the file" as it was "in effect, not in the public interest to try the defendant". He added: "There has been a fuller picture of the defendant's personal medical history described during the course of proceedings, which has caused the crown to reconsider the public interest."
Judge Louise Brandon "agreed the matter should lie on the file", meaning the prosecution against Price will not be pursued through the courts. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said last year that two officers involved in the incident had not breached professional standards or committed a criminal offence in their response to her behaviour.
IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said at the conclusion of its investigation: "This was an extremely distressing incident that left a woman with very serious injuries and we wish her well with her continued recovery. We recognise the impact this has had on those involved, as well as the wider community.
"That is why it was so important for this use of potentially lethal force to be subject to a detailed investigation that was independent of the police. The officers involved put themselves in harm’s way to protect members of the public and we found the use of force was necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.
"However, we did find opportunities for the force to learn from this incident and we welcome the change to the way body-worn cameras are being used, which will benefit officers and the public alike."
READ NEXT: Tugboat captain gave shipmate 'extremely dangerous' orders which saw him die in Mersey
'Guru Geoffrey' was 'always on fire to succeed' but paedophile hunters brought him down
Victim's family scream 'rat' at dealer who killed innocent dad for his Rolex
Paedophile claimed prankster friends had sent lewd Facebook messages to 'girl'
Murder suspect says she didn't know 'drinking partner' was hurt until ambulance arrived
