How On Cloudflyer trainers led police to Ashley Dale's killer

Footage broadcast on tonight's episode of Merseyside Detectives showed the moment James Witham and Joseph Peers were arrested. The two, alongside Niall Barry and Sean Zeisz, were tried at Liverpool Crown Court accused of Ashley Dale's murder, and were unanimously convicted by a jury on Monday, November 20, 2023.

The new documentary provides exclusive access into Merseyside Police's investigations into the murders of Ashley and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. Wednesday's episode ended as the lead detective investigating Ashley's murder, Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings, as she received intelligence on the whereabouts of Witham and Peers.

A firearms team was sent out to intercept the car and arrest Witham and Peers. After the arrests were made, officers were asked to check the shoe sizes of Witham and Peers.

DCI Cummings explained: "The size of the footwear is important for us as well. Footprints have been filed from the scene. Size eight and a half left by the offender as they fled the scene."

Witham confirms he was a size eight, which proved to be key evidence in the case. During the trial, the prosecution, Paul Greaney KC, told Liverpool Crown Court Witham had "no choice" but to plead guilty to being the killer when a "mundane purchase" he made just one day earlier led police straight to him.

While searching Ashley's home for evidence, a distinctive trainer mark was found on the front door of her home. Along with the trainer mark, police also found Witham's DNA on a bullet casing. As officers looked into the evidence, they uncovered CCTV footage of Witham in Taskers Sports in Aintree on August 20, 2022.

Mr Greaney told the court: “He bought a pair of men’s On Cloudflyer trainers in black, UK size 8.5. This apparently mundane purchase was to prove important in the investigation into Ashley Dale’s killing.

Mr Greaney added: "That is because James Witham was wearing these very trainers as he kicked in the front door to 40 Leinster Road, and as he walked out, leaving Ashley dying in the back yard.

"On departure, he left a distinctive footprint on the door that was now flat on the ground. It was the footprint of an On Cloudflyer training shoe, UK size 8.5. It was James Witham’s footprint.”

Witham was also caught on CCTV footage leaving a food and wine shop on Page Moss Lane wearing the On Cloud trainers. Mr Greaney said: “James Witham was the gunman who used the machine gun to murder Ashley.

"He left his DNA and an impression of his footwear behind. You may find it hardly surprising, in those circumstances, that he has been left with no choice but to accept that he was the gunman.”

Witham was convicted by unanimous decision of murdering Ashley, conspiracy to murder her boyfriend, Lee Harrison, and conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Witham admitted to being the gunman who fired the fatal shot. On November 22, 2023, he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 43 years, meaning he will be at least 84 years old by the time he is eligible for release.