Shopkeeper escapes murder charge

A shopkeeper has said he is "relieved" he will not be prosecuted over the death of a mugger who tried to rob him.

Liam Kilroe, 25, from St Helens, Merseyside, died after grappling with Tony Singh on Birleywood Road, Skelmersdale, last week.

The mugger, who has previous convictions for assault and robbery, suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest while Mr Singh, 34, tried to defend himself.

Police arrested Mr Singh, who owns the Lifestyle Express store in Birleywood, on suspicion of murder, but he was later released on bail and will not be charged over the incident.

John Dilworth, assistant district Crown prosecutor for South West Lancashire, said: "The evidence from the police has been reviewed and we have decided that Mr Singh, known locally to the community as Tony, was acting in self defence and should not be prosecuted for any offence over the death of Liam Kilroe.

"Mr Kilroe died as the result of a single stab wound to the chest. It is clear he was trying to rob Mr Singh of the day's takings and that Mr Singh resisted and defended himself in the struggle that followed."

Lancashire Police issued an appeal for Kilroe to hand himself in after he failed to appear in court to face armed robbery charges shortly before the attack.

Mr Singh said in a statement: "I would like to say how relieved I am at the decision that I am not going to be prosecuted for any offence.

"I tried to get away from the attacker but was left with no option but to defend myself.

"In the course of the attack I was stabbed to my 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 do not want to be seen as a hero. I did no more or less than try to save my life.

"I extend my sympathy to the Kilroe family who after all have lost a son."

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