Wife of Liverpool region pub death victim 'devastated'

by Nick Webster. Published Fri 30 Jul 2010 17:12

Customers have spoken of their respect for a shop-owner who died after a fracas over a spilled pint of beer in the Liverpool City Region.

Businessman Christopher Shackleton died from stroke five days after he was injured in the fracas at a pub in Formby.

Detectives first quizzed a 26-year-old off-duty police constable on suspicion of assaulting Mr Shackleton in the up-market Freshfield Hotel in Massam's Lane.

But card shop owner Mr Shackleton, whose home stands a short walk from the pub, died at Southport and Formby District General Hospital on Wednesday.

A post mortem showed that the cause of death was a "stroke" - often described as a cerebrovascular accident it can have numersous causes including trauma.

Locals said it was unusual to have trouble at "The Freshy" in which stands about half a mile from the luxury home of Liverpool FC captain Stephen Gerrard.

At the dead man's neat terraced home in Old Mill Lane, Formby, Christopher's widow Sarah Shackleton was too upset to talk about his death.

Mrs Shackleton who helps run a Hallmark Card Shop in Liverpool Road, Birkdale, near Southport, is said to be be devastated at her husband's death.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We can confirm the man arrested in connection with the incident at the Freshfield pub is a serving Merseyside police officer.

"The officer was off duty at the time of the incident.

"The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."

After several hours of questioning the constable was released on police bail, pending further police inquiries.

Police said a number of men were involved in the disturbance and locals in Formby said those who witnessed the assault reported that the dead man was felled with a chop to the back of his neck.

Following the disturbance mr Shackleton was taken by ambulance to Southport and Formby District General Hospital where doctors lost a battle to save the life on Wednesday.

Gareth Richards, manager of the Massam's Lane pub, said: "We're shocked. This type of thing is unheard of in our pub.

"We do not tolerate trouble in our pub, where providing a safe environment for our customers is our main priority.

"We are currently doing everything we can to help the police with their enquiries."

Christoper and Sarah Shackleton were said to be a devoted couple who ran a "Hallmark" card and gift shop in Birkdale, near Southport.

One shocked shopper, Jenny Rimmer said: "Sarah runs the card shop but Chris was often in there at weekends, helping-out.

"Sarah will be devastated at losing her soul-mate like this. He was such a lovely man."

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the pub at around 10pm on Saturday who witnessed this disturbance, to contact 0151 777 8603 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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