Home » James Foy Jailed for Killing Mikey Rainsford in Mistaken Hit

James Foy Jailed for Killing Mikey Rainsford in Mistaken Hit

Police watchdog says Foy should’ve been arrested earlier

by Amelia Crawford

James Foy, a gang member from Merseyside, was convicted of murdering 20-year-old Mikey Rainsford in a case of mistaken identity that could have been prevented, according to a police watchdog report.

On April 7, 2020, Foy fired two bullets through the window of a home in Litherland, fatally striking Rainsford as he stood in his family’s kitchen. The young man collapsed in the hallway while his family called emergency services. He had no involvement with gangs or criminal activity.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now upheld a complaint by Mikey’s father, Michael Rainsford, who argued that Foy should have been arrested months earlier. In November 2019, Foy’s DNA was found on a magazine of a firearm seized during a raid, but Merseyside Police took no action.

The IOPC concluded there was no justifiable reason for police to delay Foy’s arrest, and that failure “allowed for a series of events” leading to Mikey’s death. A detective sergeant was found to have a case to answer for misconduct, but will undergo a reflective practice review rather than disciplinary action.

Despite Merseyside Police’s claims that the DNA evidence was inconclusive due to its location on a removable gun part, both Crown Prosecution Service lawyers and the IOPC said it was enough to warrant arrest and charges.

James Foy and his brother Michael Foy—both linked to the Linacre Young Guns gang—were seeking revenge after a window was smashed at their home. Believing a rival gang called the Kirkstone Riot Squad was responsible, they mistakenly targeted Mikey’s address, which sat in a rival gang’s territory.

Both Foy brothers were convicted of murder and firearm possession. James Foy later admitted in court that he was the gunman. Mikey’s father has spent five years demanding answers and accountability from Merseyside Police.

“This has always been about justice for my son,” said Mr. Rainsford. “I’ve been right all along—no one should have to go through this.”

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