Police appeal for camera phone footage in Liverpool fan assault probe
Police investigating an attack on a Liverpool fan before the Champions League semi-final at Anfield are appealing for CCTV and camera phone footage.
Father-of-three Sean Cox, 53, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, Ireland, remains critically ill following the assault outside the stadium ahead of the first leg tie on Tuesday April 24.
We're appealing for CCTV & camera phone footage filmed around Anfield from 7-7.45pm on 24 April before @LFC v @ASRomaEN, following an assault which left Sean Cox in a critical condition. Please send footage to: Anfield.Incident@merseyside.pnn.police.uk https://t.co/vzoFchwnCDpic.twitter.com/12YNZ1e9E7
-- Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) May 11, 2018
Detective Inspector Paul Speight, of Merseyside Police, said: "Sean Cox remains in hospital in a critical condition at Walton Neurological Centre. Our thoughts are very much with his family who are going through an extremely tough time, and we want to bring anyone responsible to justice.
"We have studied CCTV footage and have spoken to a number of witnesses, and I want to thank the people who have already come forward for their ongoing support.
"We know there were a number of people filming on camera phones before and after the incident, and we are very keen to hear from them and view the footage as it could prove vital to our investigation of this incident."
Fighting erupted near The Albert pub, close to the ground, shortly before kick-off, where it is believed Mr Cox was hit with a belt and fell to the ground at 7.08pm.
A friend of Mr Cox, Damien O'Reilly, a councillor in Co Meath, described him as a role model and cornerstone of the community and heavily involved in local Gaelic football.
In a statement, Mr Cox's family said he is "the most amazing and wonderful husband, dad, friend, son, uncle, and brother, and he has brought us all nothing but joy".
Footage in the area between 7pm and 7.45pm can be sent to the force's dedicated investigation team via Anfield.Incident@merseyside.pnn.police.uk
Anyone with information can also contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. Alternatively, phone 101 quoting incident reference 18200084867 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Two Italian nationals charged in connection with the assault are due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court later this month.
