Fourth man jailed for murder of Rikki Berry
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A fourth man has today (Friday 13 February) been jailed for the murder of Rikki Berry in Kirkby in 2024 after he was caught on his own doorbell footage discussing the killing.
Just after 6.30pm on 17 July, emergency services were called to a report that a man had been shot outside Quarryside Drive in Kirkby. Paramedics treated him at scene but sadly he died a short time later.
Rikki, nicknamed 'Nuggy', was 36 years old at the time of his murder.
Detectives conducted extensive enquiries, resulting in three men being sentenced to life in prison for his murder on 18 February 2025.
• Adam Williams, 26, of Hamblett Crescent in St Helens will serve a minimum of 31 years in prison
• Michael Smith, 27, no fixed address, Kirkby will serve a minimum of 31 years in prison
• Connor Walsh, 26, of Simonswood Lane, Northwood, Kirkby will serve a minimum of 30 years in prison
In July 2025, exactly 12 months after the murder, 25-year-old Ryan Walsh-Westhead was also arrested and charged in connection with the killing.
Walsh-Westhead, of Farrier Road, Kirkby was found guilty of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to do so and was today sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 28 years.
He was found to have been a passenger in a black Seat Ateca Cupra that left the scene of the shooting with his uncle Connor Walsh and Williams. The car was in tandem with an electric bike ridden by Smith, who pulled the trigger outside Rikki Berry’s house.
Walsh-Westhead was captured on his own doorbell footage returning to his home with Walsh talking about the murder just a minute after.
When officers searched the house the following day, the Ring doorbell itself had been removed but detectives were able to retrieve the footage from Walsh Westhead’s mother’s phone.
Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “Our thoughts remain first and foremost with Rikki’s family, who have faced 18 months of grief and anguish because of the actions of these four men.
“The sentencing of Walsh-Westhead means all four of the men present at the time of Rikki’s murder are now behind bars and I hope that gives his family some sense of justice.
“Firearms bring nothing but misery and fear, and we simply will not tolerate criminals bringing gun crime to our streets. We will do everything in our power to ensure anyone responsible is put before the courts.
“My message to those involved in gun crime is clear: Merseyside Police will pursue you relentlessly. We will continue to conduct stop checks of people and vehicles, carry out warrants at your homes, and undertake land searches where we suspect you are storing your weapons.
Det Chief Insp Osborne added: “I know our communities, who feel the impact of tragedies such as this, support our efforts and they can play a vital role themselves.
“The information they provide is essential if we are to dismantle the organised crime groups prepared to carry weapons to bring violence and intimidation to our streets.
“When people are willing to come forward with information about people storing, carrying and using firearms in Merseyside, we will take firm action.
“We will ensure every possible avenue is progressed to protect those providing us with information.”
Anyone with information on gun crime should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.
If, for whatever reason, you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police you can call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111 or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously