A 15-year-old boy was found guilty of the security guard’s murder 0n January 19, 2023.

Christopher Molloy, a security guard on duty, was beaten to death in a gang attack near Bootle Strand on July 12 last year after Mr. Molloy was accused of “touching” the teenage defendant’s girlfriend.

Jay Byrne, Joseph Byrne and the 15-year-old boy, whose name cannot be given for legal reasons, were on trial at Liverpool Crown Court charged with murdering 55-year-old security guard.

Jay Byrne was said to have either punched or pushed the victim, who then fled to McDonald’s opposite and sought assistance from staff “because he was concerned as to what was happening, trying to get help”. The victim remained in the doorway of the fast food branch for a while before walking away and at that point he was chased by 25-year-old Joseph Byrne and the 15-year-old. A second attack captured on CCTV footage ensued and this was played to the court.

The security guard fell backwards and “cracked his head on the pavement” while the teen was then seen repeatedly slapping him in the face as he lay helpless on the floor. The attackers walked away only to return shortly afterwards and 26-year-old Jay Byrne kicked a still unconscious Mr. Molly to the head. The teen then delivered a second kick to the head, described as “particularly ferocious kick, lick kicking a football hard”.

After three hours and 41 minutes of deliberations, Jay Byrne and Joseph Byrne were cleared of the murder charge by a majority and the teen was unanimously convicted of murder by the jury.

All three had earlier admitted manslaughter, and will be sentenced on March 16, 2023.