Three suspected drug dealers are in custody suspected of killing a much-loved grandad who was injured during an arson attack at his home.
George Redmond, 76, sustained a fall as he and his wife, Mary Redmond, fled their home in Dorien Road, Old Swan, at around 3.20am on September 1 last year. Neighbours hammered on George and Mary's windows to raise the alarm after the front door of the house was set alight.
The couple managed to escape but the ECHO understands George had a fall on the stairs and suffered serious injuries. His family later said he had appeared to be progressing well with his rehabilitation in hospital, but then died suddenly on September 16.
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Witnesses told the ECHO a petrol can was seen on the driveway in front of the house. Merseyside Police later released CCTV images of a white Audi car and a man believed to have been at the scene.
Today the force announced a major update in the investigation with the arrest of three men on suspicion of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The three suspects have also been arrested on suspicion of Class A drugs offences.
The men in custody include a 46-year-old from the Leigh area, a 36-year-old from Warrington and a 26-year-old from St Helens. They are all being questioned by detectives.
In a statement issued shortly after his death, George's family said: "With extreme sadness we announce the death of a lovely husband, dad and granddad, George Redmond, who died suddenly on September 16 in hospital.
"He was making great progress in his rehabilitation and was already mobile and regaining his independence so his sudden death was unexpected and utterly tragic and we as a family are absolutely struggling to come to terms with it all. We are beyond heartbroken and hope whoever is responsible for this appalling act is swiftly brought to justice.
"George leaves behind his much loved wife Mary to whom he was married for 52 amazing years and three much loved daughters, Kathryn, Karyn and Angela, as well as six grandchildren – and not forgetting Belle, his beloved cockapoo.
"We will love and miss him forever and hope there is a steady supply of custard creams wherever he is now. Rest peacefully George Redmond. 1946 – 2022."
Residents in the street told the ECHO they believed the attack was a case of mistaken identity and could not think of a reason anyone would harm the couple.
One neighbour told the ECHO: "They were one of the families who sold up when they were purchasing the land for Edge Lane so they have been here for 10 or 12 years. George was quite a quiet man but he would always say hello. He was an avid gardener, he loved being in his garden."
Another said: "I used to walk the dog with George. We'd talk about the football and things like that. He was an Evertonian, he was just a very quiet fella. There's no way at all anybody would want to hurt George and Mary. It's absolutely terrible, it frightens you to death."
Anyone with any information can contact Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000649658.
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