Three people are to be sentenced today after beating a security guard to death.
Jay Byrne, of Leyland Road in Southport, Joseph Byrne of Linacre Road in Litherland, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Christopher Molloy, although both were cleared of murder after a trial. The teenage boy, who can't be named for legal reasons, was convicted of murder by the jury after three hours and 41 minutes of deliberation.
A court heard the two men and a 15-year-old boy beat the security guard to death in an early hours gang attack near to Bootle Strand, at around 12.45am on July 12, last year. Mr Molloy was accused of "touching" the teenage defendant's girlfriend and Jay Byrne was said to have either punched or pushed the stranger, who then fled to the McDonald's opposite and sought assistance from staff.
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The victim remained in the doorway of the fast food branch before walking away, at which point he was chased by 25-year-old Joseph Byrne and the then 14-year-old. CCTV footage showed the younger Byrne landing a punch that knocked Mr Molloy to the floor unconscious.
He "cracked his head on the pavement" but the teen was then seen repeatedly slapping him in the face, a total of eight times, as he lay helpless on the floor. Both attackers walked away in the direction of the Natwest bank, being caught on camera fist bumping as they did so.
The boy returned shortly afterwards alongside 26-year-old Jay Byrne, who kicked a still unconscious Mr Molloy to the head. The youth then delivered a second kick to the head, described as a "particularly ferocious kick, like kicking a football hard".
The victim was taken to hospital but had suffered internal bleeding and fractures, and his life support was ultimately withdrawn. He died on July 19, 2022, a week after the assault.