A son denied the murder of his "vivacious and compassionate" mum outside a Kirkby pub and is set to stand trial in the new year.
James Dempsey, 32, was arrested after an altercation by the Brambles Pub, Cherryfield Drive, Kirkby, on August 22 this year. Emergency services attended the scene and found 55-year-old Karen Dempsey in the car-park with a stab wound to the chest.
Dempsey, of Brechin Road, Kirkby, was arrested and later charged with murdering Ms Dempsey, and an alternative count of manslaughter. He was also charged with wounding another man, Brian Flynn, with intent, possession of a bladed article and affray.
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Dempsey appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning via video-link from HMP Altcourse. He was asked to confirm his details and the charges were put to him by the court clerk. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a trial date was confirmed for February 20 in the new year.
Ms Dempsey had allegedly been trying to break up a fight behind the Brambles before her death, having watched Liverpool FC's game with Manchester United in the pub. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief, with her former employers the South West Lancashire Independent Community Centre, in Skelmersdale, and charity The Women's Organisation describing her as a "community champion" who helped thousands of people.
At the time of her death, Ms Dempsey's family issued a moving statement. They said: "Karen was a beautiful, vivacious and compassionate woman who always had a smile on her face and lit up a room. Her zest for life was infectious and it left others breathless. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends.
"Karen was dedicated to her work and in helping others she made a real difference to people’s lives. She was a fantastic advocate for social justice for more than 30 years and her loss will be felt right across Kirkby.
"As a family we are devastated by her untimely death – it was her willingness to help that lead to her being cruelly taken from us. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends – her death has left a huge void in our lives.
"We would like to thank the police for their investigations and the emergency services who fought so hard to save her life."
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