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No charges after robber's death | No charges after robber's death |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A shopkeeper has said he is "relieved" to not face a murder charge after a man who tried to rob him was stabbed to death with his own knife. | |
Liam Kilroe, of Billinge, Merseyside, was wanted by police when he was killed in Skelmersdale on 17 February. | |
Police believe he was trying to rob Tony Singh, who owns the Lifestyle Express shop in Birleywood, Lancashire. | |
The CPS has decided not to prosecute Mr Singh. The shopkeeper says he does not know how Kilroe's injury was caused. | |
Mr Singh was initially arrested but later bailed pending further inquiries. | |
Kilroe, who had previous convictions for assault and robbery, died from a single stab wound to the chest after smashing the window of the car Mr Singh was sitting in and trying to mug him. | Kilroe, who had previous convictions for assault and robbery, died from a single stab wound to the chest after smashing the window of the car Mr Singh was sitting in and trying to mug him. |
Tony Singh was on his way home from his shop when he was attacked | |
In a statement the shopkeeper said: "I would like to say how relieved I am at the decision that I am not going to be prosecuted for any offence as a result of the incident last Sunday, 17 February. | |
"I was subject to a violent and unprovoked knife attack. I tried to get away from the attacker but was left no option other than to defend myself. | |
"In the course of the attack, I was stabbed to the head, causing what could have been a life-threatening injury, and also suffered repeated stab wounds to my back. | |
"In the struggle with my attacker, I understand he suffered an injury but I do not know how the injury was caused. | |
"I extend my sympathy to the Kilroe family who after all have lost a son." | |
Just days before the fatal incident, Lancashire Police appealed for Kilroe to hand himself in after he failed to appear at court to face armed robbery charges. | |
Those who use reasonable force in defending themselves will enjoy the full protection of the law John Dilworth CPS | |
Following the announcement not to prosecute Mr Singh over the attack, Det Supt Mick Gradwell of Lancashire Police said: "This was a violent attack on Mr Singh by a convicted armed robber. | |
"My recommendation was that Mr Singh should not be prosecuted and I am pleased that the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed with that." | "My recommendation was that Mr Singh should not be prosecuted and I am pleased that the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed with that." |
John Dilworth, assistant district Crown prosecutor for South West Lancashire, said Mr Singh was acting in self-defence. | |
"While this case does not concern a householder defending themselves against an intruder, it has very similar considerations," he said. | |
"The CPS understands that anxiety may sometimes be felt by innocent members of the public if they are obliged to defend themselves from attack. | "The CPS understands that anxiety may sometimes be felt by innocent members of the public if they are obliged to defend themselves from attack. |
"The Director of Public Prosecutions is determined to ensure that those who use reasonable force in defending themselves will enjoy the full protection of the law - they will not be prosecuted." | "The Director of Public Prosecutions is determined to ensure that those who use reasonable force in defending themselves will enjoy the full protection of the law - they will not be prosecuted." |