A grandad-of-eight was gunned down at work in a brutal killing - and 15 years later no one has ever been convicted of his murder.
James Stanton was shot in the back of the head as he sat in his office at Aintree Commercial Vehicles, on Ormskirk Road.
The dad-of-four also suffered a gunshot wounds to the back when balaclava clad gunmen burst into the business at around 6pm on July 24, 2006.
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He died five hours later, leaving his devastated widow, Jean, and a loving family behind. As the anniversary of Mr Stanton's murder approaches, his family have still never seen justice over his killing.
Mr Stanton, who was 58 when he was murdered, was a popular squash coach and Jujitsu instructor and no definite motive has ever emerged for his killing.
Detectives probing the incident believe the assassins intended to target the company, but that the grandad-of-eight, from Thornton, may not have been the intended victim.
But no-one has ever been arrested or charged with the fatal shooting.
Chilling CCTV footage from the day of the shooting shows two masked men striding towards the door of Mr Stanton's office before firing shots.
Seconds later Mr Stanton lay dying from gunshot wounds to the back and head.
The hitmen are thought to have left the scene in a blue Toyota Avensis, which police discovered had been stolen from Sefton Street, Dingle, two months before the murder.
That vehicle, which had a registration of DM53 MKK, was found burnt out on Blindfoot Road in Rainford the following day.
The murder weapons have never been recovered.
Police have previously told the ECHO they believe there are people within the "criminal fraternity" who know who is responsible for Mr Stanton's death.
Repeated appeals for information have been issued by police and Mr Stanton's family since his brutal murder.
In 2016 the crime featured on TV programme Crimewatch - which reportedly prompted 10 calls to the police.
A number of them named the same person as being connected with the shooting, and a black Vauxhall Vectra – registration number KN53 YHL – spotted in Lathom Road, Huyton, was identified as being possibly connected with the case.
Police also want to trace a woman with a pushchair and a taxi driver in the Ormskirk Road area on the night of the shooting.
Jean Stanton has made repeated appeals for anyone with information to contact the police.
She previously told the Liverpool ECHO : “I lost my husband and until those responsible for Jim’s death are caught we will never be able to move on.
“I continually struggle with the question of why this happened to Jim and would ask anybody who has any information to contact the police.”
She added: “Jim left for work for just another day in the office and he never came home.
“The brutal and callous way that he was taken from us will always follow us and at the moment there are no answers which will help heal the scars from that fateful day.”
A reward of £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mr Stanton’s death is still on offer.
Speaking to the ECHO previously, Detective Superintendent Richie Salter said: "Although it was 13 years ago that night will never be erased from the memory of JamesStanton’s family and they are unable to rest until those responsible for his death are arrested, charged and brought before the courts.
“We know that over time loyalties change and I believe that there are people in the community who know who was responsible.
“I would urge those people to come forward with that information and help us to get closure for Mr Stanton’s family.
"I know that considerable time has passed but I would continue to appeal to anyone who may have seen the car between 25 May 2006 and the night of the murder, bearing in mind that the car may not have been displaying its original number plates at the time of the murder, to come forward.
“Any piece of information, however small, may be the key to finally solving this case.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives by DM @MerPolCC, dialling 101 or coin Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
