A sudden ambush, a desperate chase, a point-blank execution and a white van spotted speeding from the scene – the murder of a young dad remains tragically unsolved.
It has been 20 years since 26-year-old Peter Singleton was shot down by a masked gunman in front of his horrified girlfriend and three-year-old son at around 7.30pm on March 27, 2003.
The car dealer was outside his flat on Column Road, West Kirby, with his family when the balaclava-clad gunman began firing at him. He tried to run away, but was shot twice in the back. As he lay on the ground, injured and helpless, his killer shot him three more times in the head at point-blank range – execution style.
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The killer then jumped into a white van, which was parked nearby, and sped off along Grange Cross Lane. It was later found burned out in Carr Lane, Moreton.
An artist's impression of the driver, believed to be an accomplice, was released by Merseyside Police. The picture of the young, white man, with small, wide-set eyes, square jaw, wide mouth, and dark-coloured beanie hat was shared all over the county – but no trace of the suspect was ever found.
Two decades on from the shooting which shocked the community, detectives are no closer to cracking the case. A £10,000 reward offered in exchange for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the dad's killer, announced on the 10th anniversary of his death, failed to bring in the information police required.
At an inquest in October 2003, detective chief superintendent Russ Walsh, said Peter had arranged to meet his girlfriend, Lesley Quinn, the day he died, and that she had called him to check when he would arrive.
"She also mentioned that a white van was parked outside the flats that she hadn't seen before. Mr Singleton told her to check if anyone was in it and she said she couldn't see anyone," he said.
Peter arrived shortly afterwards, and was helping Miss Quinn with some shopping bags when the gunman struck.
His heartbroken mum, Colette Singleton, spent 10 years fighting for justice for her son. Tragically, she died of cancer in 2013 without ever learning the truth about who killed him.
In a final desperate appeal in The ECHO, she said: “I feel like it’s the end. I just wanted justice for Peter – after I’m gone, who will do it for him? I’ve got no answers, I really thought it was going to be solved, I really did. I can’t understand why it hasn’t been, how they’ve got away with it for so long.
“There are people who know, they know who did this. I know it from the bottom of my heart. Please – just give police that information so that I can sleep easy when I’m gone.”
Kevin Clague, head of Merseyside Police's Serious Crime Review Unit, said: “Although it has been 20 years since the death of Peter Singleton we continue to appeal for information so his family can finally find closure and bring those responsible for his murder to justice.
“While 20 years is a long time to pass, a murder investigation is never closed. I would urge people in the community for their help with the investigation and that it is not too late to come forward with any information you may have, no matter how small. Every vital bit of information and evidence can help us make significant progress and find justice for Peter’s family.
“We know that people can be reluctant or fearful in coming forward, but please be rest assured there are special measures that we can put in place to protect witnesses.
“Someone out there knows who is responsible for this callous act. It’s never too late for someone to come forward – if you have any information, please DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.”
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