'My daughter's killers knew her... hearing them lie about it made me so angry'

Ashley Dale's mum has spoken of the 'betrayal' she feels after discovering the personal connection her daughter had with her killers. James Witham, Sean Zeisz, Niall Barry and Joseph Peers were yesterday (November 20) found guilty of murdering Julie Dale's 28-year-old daughter.

Council worker Ashley was shot dead at her home on Leinster Road in Old Swan, Liverpool, in the early hours of August 21, 2022. Julie opened up to the Liverpool Echo following a seven-week murder trial which she sat through.

She says it is 'difficult' to comprehend how most of the defendants could 'get up and lie' about what happened in court. The grieving mum says she was also left with a sense of 'betrayal', as some of the defendants knew her daughter on a 'personal level'.

READ MORE: The Ashley Dale killer who could not hide his role as head of toxic organised crime group

READ MORE: Inquest into death of Falaq Babar, 11, HALTED as police investigate 'new evidence'

"Some of them had been with her in Glastonbury and stuff like that," said Julie. "I didn't know any of the defendants personally but even down to some of Ashley's friends as well, we've heard details that some of these people chose not to give witness statements and not to speak up and that's difficult.

"And I understand people are scared and I do get that because one of your friends has just been killed in the most horrific way. To sit and hear those details and to know that these people have not spoke up up for her, it's difficult."

The jury heard Zeisz claim he had 'no beef' with Ashley's boyfriend and that he had been in her house drinking just weeks before the shooting. Adam Davis, KC, who represented Zeisz said: "Mr Zeisz had beef with one person alone, and that was Dusty.