Merseyside Police has issued a public appeal for assistance in locating 24 individuals wanted in connection with a range of serious offences. The list includes suspects who have failed to appear in court, breached prison license conditions, or are sought for questioning in ongoing investigations.
The force is urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals to come forward. The cases range from a murder suspect who has been on the run for over two decades to individuals wanted for drug trafficking, firearms offences, and domestic assault.
Key Takeaways
- Merseyside Police are searching for 24 individuals for various alleged crimes.
- Notable cases include Karl O'Hare, wanted since 2003 for murder, and Kyle Smith-Milson, wanted on recall to prison for firearms offences.
- The public is asked not to approach these individuals but to report sightings immediately.
- Information can be provided to Merseyside Police by calling 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers.
High-Priority Fugitives Sought by Police
Among the most prominent individuals sought is Karl O'Hare. The 42-year-old has been wanted since 2003 in connection with the murder of his father, John, and the attempted murder of his mother, Diane, in Oxton. He failed to attend a pre-trial hearing at Liverpool Crown Court and has not been seen since. His mother later died in 2019 from the injuries sustained in the attack.
Another significant appeal concerns Kyle Smith-Milson, 31, identified as a former high-ranking member of the Croxteth Young Guns. He is wanted on recall to prison after breaching his license conditions. Smith-Milson was originally jailed in 2013 for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and was released on licence in August 2023.
Wanted for Violent and Domestic Offences
Police are also searching for several individuals in connection with violent and domestic incidents. Dean Castley, 56, is wanted for questioning regarding a domestic assault in Walton Village. He is described as having a distinctive tattoo of the Everton FC motto, ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’, on his right arm.
Stephen Goodwin, 48, from Kirkdale, is also wanted in connection with reports of domestic incidents. He is known to frequent the Crosby and Southport areas. Additionally, Adam Jones is sought for a number of domestic abuse allegations and for breaching a restraining order.
Long-Term Fugitive Case
The search for Karl O'Hare is one of Merseyside's longest-running manhunts, spanning more than 20 years. He has known links to Northern Ireland and Scotland. His brother, Mark Williams, was convicted of manslaughter for the same incident and died in 2014.
Individuals Wanted on Recall to Prison
A large number of the individuals on the wanted list have been recalled to prison after failing to comply with the terms of their release. These breaches often involve failing to reside at an approved address, poor behaviour, or missing appointments with probation services.
- Michael Turner: 37, from Bootle, recalled after breaching licence conditions following a sentence for possessing indecent images of children.
- Gary Davies: 57, recalled after breaching licence terms for a previous sentence of wounding with intent.
- Daniel Humphreys: 29, breached his license following release from a sentence for possession of a firearm.
- John O’Rourke: 27, breached his licence conditions after serving a sentence for dealing Class A drugs.
- Jack Stuart: 27, wanted for breaching his licence following a sentence for a racially aggravated public order offence.
These individuals were released from prison under strict conditions, and their failure to adhere to these terms has resulted in the revocation of their licenses. Police are actively searching for them to ensure they are returned to custody.
Understanding Prison Recalls
When an offender is released from prison on licence, they must follow specific rules, such as living at an approved address and attending regular meetings. If they break these rules, the Ministry of Justice can issue a 'recall', revoking their licence and requiring them to return to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence.
Fugitives Linked to Drug and Weapons Offences
Several individuals are wanted in connection with serious drug and weapons-related crimes, reflecting a continued police focus on organised crime in the region.
James Seiga, 51, failed to attend Liverpool Magistrates Court to face charges of conspiring to supply Class A drugs, specifically cocaine and heroin. He has links to the Huyton and Roby areas.
Jack Jeremy Wymer, 31, from Kirkby, is wanted after failing to attend appointments following his release from a sentence for conspiracy to supply drugs. Thanh Nguyen, 41, also breached his licence conditions after being released from a sentence for drug offences.
The list also includes individuals wanted for weapons possession:
- Darren Davies: 23, recalled to prison after leaving his approved residence. He was originally jailed for possession of an offensive weapon.
- David Hutchison: 33, from Toxteth, breached his licence conditions after serving a sentence for possessing an offensive weapon.
Appeals for a Range of Other Offences
The police appeals cover a wide spectrum of alleged crimes, from theft and assault to failing to appear in court. Each individual's details have been released to aid the public in identifying them.
Wanted for Failing to Attend Court or Breaching Orders
Jake Woods, 28, is wanted for failing to attend Liverpool Crown Court in July for a breach of a community order. Andrew Dale, 41, also failed to appear at the same court in February for an assault offence. Kyle Powell, 23, from St Helens, is wanted for breaching a court order related to a drugs supply offence.
Individuals Wanted for Assault and Theft
Jamie Middleton, 32, is sought for breaching his licence conditions after serving a prison sentence for assault. Ross Keegan, 19, also known as Ross Jamieson, breached his licence after a sentence for robbery. Gary Bramhill, 47, and Peter Gallagher, 25, are both wanted for breaching licence conditions following sentences for theft.
Merseyside Police has stressed the importance of public cooperation in these cases. A spokesperson stated: "We are asking the public to help us locate these wanted individuals. Information from the community is vital for us to bring offenders to justice and keep our neighbourhoods safe. If you see any of these individuals, do not approach them, but call 999 immediately."
How to Report Information
Merseyside Police have provided multiple channels for the public to report information. For immediate sightings, the public should always call 999.
For non-urgent information, you can contact Merseyside Police via their social media desk on X (formerly Twitter) @MerPolCC or on the ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook. You can also call the non-emergency number 101.
Alternatively, information can be given completely anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by filling out their online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. When providing information, it is helpful to quote the specific reference number associated with the individual if you have it.