TWO MEN have been found guilty of the contract killing of a father-of-three.
Former doorman Daniel Duffy was gunned down as he walked home from work at Childwall golf course almost two years ago.
Detectives were never able to find a motive for the shooting, which was described as a “gangland execution”.
But yesterday, hitmen Eusop Milne and Paul Simons were found guilty of murder.
During a tense and complicated 11-week trial, Liverpool crown court heard the pair worked as “guns for hire”.
It was suggested they were paid as little as £6,000 to carry out the killing.
The pair showed no emotion as they were convicted by the jury after more than a week of deliberation.
Milne, 34, of Kingsway, Prescot, was also convicted of the attempted murder of Mohammed Rashid in Coventry.
His partner Kathryn Hanson, who was on bail, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
The jury had heard Mr Duffy, 46, was walking along Sullington Drive, Netherley, towards his home in nearby Damson Road when nine loud bangs rang out.
A witness, woken by the noises at 10.45pm on November 20, 2006, saw a masked man shooting at Mr Duffy while he lay helpless on the floor.
Mr Duffy’s children were called by neighbours as he lay dying.
He had suffered “catastrophic” head injuries, as well as nine gunshot wounds, and was dead by the time he reached Whiston hospital.
During the trial, Stephen Riordan QC said no evidence was uncovered for the crime, “which bears all the hallmarks of what is sometimes called a gangland execution”.
But the jury have not finished their deliberations.
Milne, Simons, 25, of no fixed address, and five other men are also charged with conspiracy to murder three men, Mr Rashid’s sons Ajmal and Amir and their cousin Ansar Mahmood. No verdicts have been reached on those charges.
The court heard one the two guns used to kill Mr Duffy, a .38 revolver, was used weeks earlier, on October 11, 2006, to shoot Mr Rashid.
Mr Riordan said Mr Rashid was shot three times after interrupting gunmen who were attempting to invade his home to kill his sons.
The two brothers and their cousin were allegedly targeted after trying to rip off two drug dealers.
Astonishingly, Mr Rashid survived, despite one bullet going through his liver and stomach.
Mr Riordan said: “There is no connection between these two sets of offences other than the weapon and the defendants Milne and Simons.”
Brothers Lee Almond, 27, of Whitewood Park, Fazakerley, and Peter Almond, 23, of Heathfield Road, Litherland; Ian Dutton, 42, of Gale Road, Litherland; Bryan Rimmer, 27, of no fixed address, and Razwan Mirza, 26, of Stainford Road, Sheffield, all deny three charges of conspiracy to murder.
(Proceeding)
Thanks to police
THE family of Daniel Duffy today thanked police for the long investigation which snared the father-of-three’s killers.
In a statement, they said: “We are delighted with this result, although it will not bring back Daniel.
“We would like to thank the police for their hard work and support throughout the last 18 months.”
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Cummings, of Merseyside police, said: “This outcome marks the end of a long and protracted investigation into the murder of Daniel Duffy.
“These verdicts will reassure the community that those responsible for such crimes and those who assist them will be brought to justice.
“I would like to thank West Midlands police for the crucial part they have played.
“Work between the two forces and the Crown Prosecution Service has played a critical part in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”
