Four Men Found Guilty of Ashley Dale’s Murder in Shocking Liverpool Crime
Four men have been found guilty of murdering Ashley Dale at her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, in August 2022. The verdict was delivered today, Monday 20 November, after a seven-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
James Witham and Three Others Convicted
The jury found James Witham, Sean Zeisz, Niall Barry, and Joseph Peers guilty of killing 28-year-old Ashley, who was fatally shot at her Leinster Road home on August 21 last year. Witham, 41, from Huyton, admitted to being the gunman who fired the fatal shot.
All four were also convicted of conspiring to murder Ashley’s boyfriend, Lee Harrison, and conspiring to possess a prohibited weapon — specifically a Skorpion submachine gun and ammunition — with intent to endanger life.
Details of Those Found Guilty
- Sean Zeisz, 28, of Longreach Road, Huyton: guilty of Ashley’s murder, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, and weapons offences.
- Niall Barry, 26, of Moscow Drive, Tuebrook: guilty of Ashley’s murder, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, and weapons offences.
- Joseph Peers, 29, of Woodlands Road, Roby: guilty of Ashley’s murder, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, and weapons offences.
- James Witham, 41, of Ashbury Road, Huyton: guilty of Ashley’s murder, conspiracy to murder Lee Harrison, and weapons offences.
In contrast, Ian Fitzgibbon, 28, from St Helens, was cleared of all charges. Another man, 26-year-old Kallum Radford of Kirkby, was found not guilty of assisting an offender.
The four convicted men face sentencing on 22 November.
Detective Chief Inspector Delivers Strong Message
“The actions of James Witham on that day had a devastating and widespread impact,” said Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings.
“Ashley, an innocent woman, lost her life in the most brutal way at the hands of Witham. She was alone in her own home — a place where she should have felt safe — when she was fatally shot.
“Her family have to live with that knowledge every day. This was a complex investigation, but thanks to the painstaking work of our team and the support from the community, we secured this successful prosecution.”
“Our case relied on strong evidence — from cell site data and hundreds of hours of CCTV to the digital devices seized. Most importantly, Ashley’s own phone and voice notes painted a harrowing picture of the events leading up to her death.
“The four men showed no remorse and denied the charges, forcing Ashley’s family to endure a gruelling trial where they repeatedly relived her final moments. I am relieved the jury saw through their lies and conspiracy.
“I salute Ashley’s family for their courage throughout. While nothing will bring Ashley back, I hope they can now start to grieve properly and move forward.
“This sends a clear message: serious organised crime will not be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside. We will relentlessly pursue those responsible and ensure they face justice behind bars.”
