Appeal for information 11 years on from the murder of James Stanton 

Police are offering a reward of £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his death.

James Stanton, 58, was shot while he was at work in his business premises, Aintree Commercial Vehicles on Ormskirk Road, Aintree, on 24 July, 2006.

Detectives believe two men were responsible for his murder and that they left the scene in a blue Toyota Avensis (registration DM53 MKK), stolen from Sefton Street, Liverpool, two months before the murder and was found burnt out on Blindfoot Road, Rainford, the following day.

James Stanton’s widow, Jean, has appealed for anyone with information to contact the police. She said: “I lost my husband 11 years ago and until those responsible for Jim’s death are caught we will never be able to move on.

“I continually struggle with the question of why this happened to Jim and would ask anybody who has any information to contact the police.”

She added: “Jim left for work 11 years ago for just another day in the office and he never came home.

“The brutal and callous way that he was taken from us will always follow us and at the moment there are no answers which will help heal the scars from that fateful day.”

Detective Superintendent Dave Brunskill said: “James Stanton was killed in cold blood 11 years ago and his wife, Jean and family are still struggling to come to terms with their loss. They will never rest until those responsible for his death are arrested, charged and brought before the courts.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the car between 25 May and the night of the murder, bearing in mind that the car may not have been displaying its original number plates at the time of the murder.

“The incident happened on a main route in and out of the city centre at rush hour and I would urge anyone who was around at the time, either on foot or in a car, to cast their mind back and let us know if they saw anything at all unusual.

“I believe there are people within the community, and especially the criminal fraternity, who will know who was responsible for Jim’s death and would be able to assist with vital information. I would urge them to come forward and help James’ family get some form of closure.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.