Footballer makes appeal to brother over Anthony murder

Manchester City footballer Joey Barton has made a televised appeal to his brother to contact police regarding the axe murder of black teenager Anthony Walker at the weekend.

Detectives have said that they wish to speak to Michael Barton, 18, and Paul Taylor, 20, in connection with the killing, which took place in Merseyside on Friday night.

It is believed that the pair may have left the country, possibly fleeing to Amsterdam.

Joey Barton made a statement on Tuesday, urging his brother to contact police. He described the murder as “horrific” and said his family had been “sickened” by it. He said: “My sincere condolences go out to Anthony’s family. My side of the Barton family are sickened by his death.

“Although Michael and I were not brought up together, I urge him to come forward and give himself up to police.

“Michael, if you have any information you have to tell the police. You must do this for the Walker family, so they can mourn Anthony and you must do it because you know it is the right thing to do.”

Anthony, 18, had been waiting for a bus with his 17-year-old girlfriend, who is white, and his cousin, Marcus Binns, 17, outside the Huyton Park pub just before 11:30pm on Friday night.

They were subjected to a racist abuse by a man outside the pub and were then followed to McGoldrick Park, where a group of up to four men attacked them.

Anthony’s girlfriend and cousin both ran to get help, but when they returned minutes later, Anthony was found lying on the ground. He had been attacked with an axe, which had been left embedded in his skull. He later died in hospital.

Police have also arrested two more men in connection with Anthony's murder. The two men, aged 26 and 29 are both from the Huyton area.

Two male teenagers, aged 17 and 18, arrested in connection with the investigation have since been released on bail.

A book of condolence has been opened at Grace Family Church in Aigburth, the church, which Anthony attended.

(KMcA/SP)