The police watchdog has criticized the Merseyside Police for failing to arrest criminal James Foy before he shot and killed 20-year-old Mikey Rainsford, in a case of mistaken identity. The Independent Office for Police Conduct upheld a complaint from Mr. Rainsford’s father, stating that Foy should have been arrested earlier when his DNA was found on a handgun. The police force, however, maintained that they did not have enough evidence to make an arrest before the murder.
Foy was eventually convicted for possessing the firearm that was found months before the murder, along with the killing of Rainsford. The IOPC found that there was no new evidence discovered post-murder that was not already available. Despite the DNA evidence linking Foy to the weapon, the police did not act on it in time. The case reviewer concluded that Foy’s arrest should not have been delayed, which might have prevented the tragic outcome.
The victim, Mikey Rainsford, had no connections to gangs or criminal activities, which made his murder all the more senseless. He was shot in his family home while preparing to visit his girlfriend, caught in the crossfire of a feud between rival gangs. Foy and his brother, both associated with a local gang, sought revenge for damage to their property, mistakenly targeting Rainsford’s residence. Both brothers were convicted of the murder and sentenced to jail, with James Foy admitting to being the gunman after the fact.
After questioning the police’s handling of the case, Mr. Rainsford pushed for accountability and transparency in seeking justice for his son. Following a complaint and an internal investigation by the police force, the IOPC agreed with Mr. Rainsford’s claims. The watchdog affirmed that Foy should have been arrested earlier, potentially preventing the tragic loss of Mikey Rainsford’s life. The grieving father expressed relief at being vindicated after years of seeking answers and justice for his son’s untimely death
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