Detectives investigating the murder of a man in Skelmersdale have charged four people

Detectives investigating the murder of a man in Skelmersdale have charged four people.

Police launched an investigation after Robert Beattie was found with serious burns at his home at Waverley on September 26^th last year.

Mr Beattie, 48, was doused in some type of accelerant when he answered the door of his property, before being set on fire in a targeted attack.

He was taken to hospital but sadly died on October 10th. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones.

Following extensive enquiries detectives on Wednesday, March 25^th charged three men with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

They are: Joseph McEwan, 19, of Damsire Close, Liverpool; John O’Brien, 31, of Ingrave Road, Liverpool and Connah Jenkinson, 25, of Kremlin Drive, Liverpool.

They appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (March 26^th) and have been remanded for a trial in October.

A fourth man, Paul Hart, 32, of Whitburn, Skelmersdale, was on Friday (March 27^th) also charged with murder, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of class A drugs. He appeared before Preston Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (March 28^th).

Five other men aged between 23 and 46 remain under investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Pauline Stables, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “While we have charged a number of individuals our enquiries are very much ongoing and we continue to appeal to anyone with information that could help, to come forward.

“Our thoughts remain very much with Mr Beattie’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Anybody with information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log number 068 of September 26th. Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.