Former professional footballer, fake Uber driver and school sports coach jailed

From left; Dawit Alemseged, Elizabeth Lee and Jonathon Derby
-Credit: (Image: Merseyside Police)


A former professional footballer, a mum who stabbed another woman 20 times with a screwdriver and a fake Uber driver who abducted and sexually assaulted a teenager were among the Merseyside criminals jailed over the past week. Also locked up was a sports coach who bullied and assaulted pupils at the school where he worked.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Crown Court heard that a man went on the run when his DNA was found on a gun days after it was used in a shooting. Here are the faces of 12 defendants from our region who were imprisoned over the last seven days:

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Elliot Millar

Elliot Millar
Elliot Millar -Credit:Merseyside Police

A sports coach who drew a penis on the face of a pupil at the school where he worked has been jailed. Elliot Millar slapped students and placed them into headlocks while working at Life Wirral Sports School in New Brighton.

He was said to have started working at the establishment only the day after an "informal" interview with the headteacher without receiving any training. A judge called his actions "hideously inappropriate" and "nothing short of bullying".

Millar admitted four counts of assault and using threatening behaviour. Appearing in the dock wearing a black suit over a white shirt and grey tie, he was jailed for 12 weeks as his parents sat in tears in the public gallery.

Thomas Morrison

Thomas Morrison
Thomas Morrison -Credit:Merseyside Police

A man "panicked" and went on the run when his DNA was found on a firearm used in a shooting days before it was discovered hidden in woodland. Thomas Morrison was forensically linked to a Russian-manufactured handgun which fired a hail of bullets at a property on a residential street.

But, as he prepared to face a jury over his involvement with the lethal weapon, the former labourer and scaffolder got on his toes and failed to show his face in court for several months. A judge today told him he had merely "delayed the inevitable" in seeking to evade justice.

Morrison was ultimately convicted of a prohibited weapon in his absence before being apprehended last month. He was jailed for five years and one month.

Elizabeth Lee

Elizabeth Lee
Elizabeth Lee -Credit:Merseyside Police

A mum-of-seven "snapped" and stabbed another woman 20 times with a screwdriver. Elizabeth Lee launched a "frenzied revenge attack" upon her "defenceless" victim, who was already lying injured on the ground after being assaulted by an unknown man.

In spite of the brutal assault at a homeless shelter, the thug says she is "not sorry at all". But she wept as she was locked up over the shocking incident.

Lee admitted attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Appearing via video link to HMP Styal, she sat wiping tears way throughout the hearing before being jailed for three years and nine months.

Gareth Shaw

Gareth Shaw, 44, of Links Avenue in Southport
Gareth Shaw, 44, of Links Avenue in Southport -Credit:Merseyside Police

A man has been jailed and issued with a criminal behaviour order after assaulting a Matalan shop assistant and theft from Tesco and Holland and Barrett. Gareth Shaw pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and common assault and was locked up for 17 weeks.

Dawit Alemseged

Dawit Alemseged
Dawit Alemseged -Credit:Merseyside Police

A thug ordered a man to give him drugs and cash before stabbing him in his own flat. Dawit Alemseged knifed his victim after he refused to give into the demands, leaving him struggling to sleep and "reluctant" to leave home.

The 23-year-old admitted unlawful wounding on the day he was due to stand trial. He was jailed for a year and handed a restraining order banning him from contacting the complainant for three years.

Jamie Menagh

Jamie Menagh was jailed for his part in a drug conspiracy taken down by the Operation Falcon NWROCU investigation
Jamie Menagh was jailed for his part in a drug conspiracy taken down by the Operation Falcon NWROCU investigation -Credit:NWROCU

A former professional footballer has been jailed for his role in a £250million conspiracy that saw class A drugs smuggled into the country concealed in a trailer. Jamie Menagh was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in for dishing out drugs to couriers who then distributed the South American cocaine and heroin around the UK.

Jonathon Derby

Jonathon Derby of Radnor Close, Halewood
Jonathon Derby of Radnor Close, Halewood -Credit:Merseyside police

A man with a history of domestic violence grabbed his ex-girlfriend and bit her multiple times after she rejected his drunken advances. Jonathon Derby "badly beat up" his former partner, leaving her with nasty bruises.

The 37-year-old admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was jailed for 16 months.

Liam Lewis

Liam Lewis, of Sandway Crescent, Norris Green
Liam Lewis, of Sandway Crescent, Norris Green -Credit:Merseyside Police

Liam Lewis used a fire extinguisher to smash his way into a phone shop during rioting in Liverpool city centre. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and burglary and was jailed for two years and eight months.

Fitwi Tekeste

Fitwi Tekeste, 29, of Park Road in Toxteth
Fitwi Tekeste, 29, of Park Road in Toxteth -Credit:Merseyside Police

A teenager believed that she was getting into an Uber to take her to McDonald's but was instead abducted and sexually assaulted. Fitwi Tekeste spotted his victim alone in Liverpool city centre in the early hours after she had enjoyed a night out with friends.

The restaurant worker then convinced her that he was her taxi driver and lured her into his car under this false pretence. She was subsequently subjected to a "nightmare" ordeal over the course of nearly two hours as she was driven down the M62 and abused.

Tekeste admitted one count sexual assault, with a further count of kidnap being ordered to lie on the file. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and assisted by an interpreter, he was jailed for 45 months.

David Power

David Power
David Power -Credit:Cheshire Police

A heartless burglar broke into a dementia sufferer's home while she was in hospital and stole her late baby son's dummy. David Power also targeted a recently bereaved widower's house when she was away on holiday in order to fund his £100-a-day drug habit.

The 42-year-old admitted three counts of burglary, attempted burglary and four charges of breaching a criminal behaviour order. Appearing in the dock wearing a blue Emporio Armani jumper, he was jailed for five years.

Ethan Moran

Ethan Moran
Ethan Moran -Credit:Cheshire Police

A paedophile chef put his head in his hands as he was sent back to prison. Ethan Moran was originally locked up for sexually abusing a teenage girl but, following his release from jail, failed to abide the terms of the sex offenders' register, with the police discovering that he was living at an address with three children after being informed by his own mum.

The 24-year-old admitted failing to comply with notification requirements. He initially put his head in his hands then nodded after being told he was being jailed for six months.

John Charlton

John Charlton
John Charlton -Credit:Merseyside Police

A man came up with an "incredible" excuse after his DNA was found on a murder weapon. John Charlton was forensically linked to a Glock pistol which was used in a fatal shooting and was also fired at a house on another occasion.

But he then cooked up a bizarre story that he had handled the weapon believing it was merely a toy gun, having stumbled across it while delivering firewood to a house. He told a judge "I'm sorry about that" as he was locked up.

Charlton admitted possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition without a certificate. He was jailed for five years and seven months.