A man with connections to the Liverpool underworld who helped Steven Gerrard from being terrorised by local gangsters has been killed.
John Kinsella was killed during the early morning of last Saturday by a cyclist who police believe was wearing a hi-vis jacket at the time.
The shooting took place at St Helens Linkway, Rainhill Stoops. The 53-year-old was killed at the scene.
Kinsella, who was a Liverpool local, had served time in prison for being involved in a major £41,000 robbery in Grantham, Lincolnshire, which took place back in 2006.
Having been discovered, Kinsella then went on the run from police, but was soon apprehended for stealing thousands of pounds worth of detergents, crisps and Easter eggs.
In 2009, Kinsella was arrested in Amsterdam, Holland, in connection with a crime.
During his trail, the court heard how Gerrard's father, Paul, had reached out to John.
He asked him to help his son, who was being terrorised by a local gangster known as 'Psycho'.
A letter by Gerrard senior was read out in the courtroom. It told of how Kinsella's intervention helped the family move from the threats they were receiving from the Liverpool underworld, saying as per The Telegraph. "Steven and I have total respect for John for what he did for us."
Merseyside Police are appealing for information in connection with Saturday's shooting.
Detective Superintendent Lee Turner of Merseyside police said. "The offender is reported to have been around 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing dark clothing and a hi-vis jacket. He is also believed to have been riding a mountain bike."
Mr Turner has urged anyone who was around that area between 6.30am and 7.30am on Saturday to get in touch with police.
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