'My girl chose a boy involved in serious crime'

The mother of a woman who was shot dead by a gunman who was targeting her boyfriend has warned young women of the dangers of making poor relationship choices.

Ashley Dale, 28, was murdered in August 2022 when James Witham burst into her Liverpool home and began firing in search of her partner, following a drugs feud.

Her mother Julie said women should consider the men they get involved with and resist chasing lavish lifestyles often glamorised on social media - which can be surrounded by crime.

"Ashley was a normal girl from a normal family and the worst tragedy has happened to her because of the relationship choices that she made," Ms Dale said.

"She chose a boy who that was involved in serious and organised crime, namely drug dealing."

Speaking at an event for teenage girls as part of a Merseyside Police campaign about the dangers of violence against women, she said her daughter's choice led her to be surrounded by dangerous people.

She said she believes Ashley knew what she was getting into but there was "such a massive culture" in big cities of people being involved in drugs activity that it has "become the norm".

"Ashley was aware from the outset that [her boyfriend] didn't have a job," she said.

"He wasn't getting up and going to work like Ashley was every day.

"It's the norm and I don't think Ashley thought she was doing anything wrong."

She described how her daughter's boyfriend had become involved in a feud with a group of men who had initially been his and Ashley's friends.

"Four to five years later they burst into her home and killed her. It's about choices," she said.

"She made that choice to be with that boy and ultimately it cost her her life."

Four men were jailed for life for murder following the killing, which involved a sub-machine gun.

Ms Dale continued: "It's very important that we make [women] aware early on.

"Ashley was in her mid 20s, she knew right from wrong. It can happen to anyone at any age."

She also said girls seeing glamorous lifestyles on social media can lead to them to get involved with men make who money through criminal activities.

"Seeing people who've got flash lifestyles, designer clothes, designer handbags and wanting that, and unfortunately a lot of the times they're getting that by wrongdoing," she said.

"I'm grieving. I'm in unimaginable pain every single day. But if I can make a difference to just one girl my job is done."

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