The Liverpool ECHO reported on Monday, citing Merseyside Police, that former Manchester United and Liverpool academy player Paddy Lacey has been formally charged with attempted murder.

According to the report, Lacey is suspected of shooting a man in his 20s outside a residential unit near Radway Road in Huyton, Merseyside, in November 2025. The victim suffered a serious gunshot wound to the leg and required emergency hospitalization.

After months of intensive investigation, Merseyside Police arrested Lacey and three male accomplices on February 19, 2026, and interrogated them.

The other three suspects are identified as: John Aaron Jones, 35; John George Patrick Hughes, 31; and Bernard Flynn, 61. The former and the latter are both Merseyside residents.

The four male suspects have been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, Section 18 grievous bodily harm, and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Regarding the arrest of Lacey and his gang, Detective Inspector Chris Clark of the Merseyside Police said in an interview: “These cooperating warrants are part of an ongoing investigation, and the four men will appear in court today.”

“Our work is ongoing, so I urge anyone who has not yet contacted the police to continue to provide information. Please do not assume that we have all the information. Our team will assess and act accordingly. Whether you are a witness, have dashcam footage, CCTV footage, doorbell footage, or any other form of video evidence, please contact us.”

The report also added that the four accused were summoned to the Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, and St Helens Adult Remand Courts on Friday morning, February 20, 2025, and remanded in custody pending a pre-trial hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

It's worth mentioning that besides being a professional footballer,  Lacey is also a professional boxer, boasting a record of 12 wins and 1 loss.

About Paddy Lacey

The 32-year-old Lacey was born on March 16, 1993, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. He is 1.83 meters tall and primarily plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also play as a center-back. He has Irish ancestry. 

His younger brother, Shea, is also a professional footballer, primarily playing as a right winger, but can also play as a left winger or attacking midfielder, currently playing for Manchester United.

Lacey played for the youth academies of Tranmere Rovers, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Sheffield Wednesday, but was released.

After leaving Wednesday, Lacey joined Bradford City in the summer of 2011. He also played for Accrington Stanley in 2016, but was released after being banned for 14 months by the FA in May of the following year for cocaine doping.

A month later, Lacey was sentenced to 16 months in prison for drug possession and using counterfeit money while attending the Glastonbury Festival.

After his release in January 2019, his criminal record prevented him from being hired by any professional football clubs from the Premier League to League Two. Thus, Lacey could only focus on playing non-league football while simultaneously pursuing his professional boxing career.

However, since the summer of 2024, Lacey has been a free agent, only participating in amateur boxing matches.

Image source: Internet / Liverpool ECHO