Operation Aloft update: 12 people charged

Merseyside Police can confirm 12 individuals have today (7 March 2025) been charged with offences of bribery and misconduct following an extensive investigation (Operation Aloft) connected to the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020.

Those charged are: 

• David Anderson, 37 years, Wincanton Street, Wavertree, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office 
  
  
• Joseph Anderson, 67 years, of The Beechwalk, Knotty Ash, charged with one count of Bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office – former Mayor of Liverpool 
  
  
• Andrew Barr, 51 years, of Kendal Way, Ainsdale, charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and one count of bribery – former Assistant Director at Liverpool City Council 
    
• Phillipa Cook, 49 years of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery 
  
  
• Alex Croft, 29 years, of Bold Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, charged with one count of bribery 
  
  
• Julian Flanagan, 53 years, of Poplar Avenue, Crosby charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery 
  
  
• Paul Flanagan 61 years, of Ormskirk Road, Knowsley Village, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery 
    
• Derek Hatton, 77 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of bribery and one count of counsel or procure misconduct in a public office 
   
• Sonjia Hatton, 49 years, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, charged with one count of misconduct in a public office 
    
• Nicholas Kavanagh, 56 years, of Rookery Drive, Mossley Hill, charged with two counts of bribery – former Director at Liverpool City Council 
   
• Adam McLean, 54 years, of Acrefield Road, Woolton, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery 
    
• James Shalliker, 38 years of School Lane, Downholland, Lancashire, charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery 

All those charged will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on Friday 28^th March 2025. 

 The CPS and Merseyside Police remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceeding.