Lacey (12-1, 2 KOs), the former footballer, lost his undefeated record at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on February 7 when Jack Swallow (4-3-1, 1 KO) beat him on points over six rounds.

And now he along with three others have been charged with attempted murder after a man was shot on a driveway in Huyton on Friday, November 28. It has been reported that the victim was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after he was shot twice in the leg by two men on a bike. 

Lacey, 32, along with John Aaron Jones, John George Patrick Hughes and Bernard Flynn has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, possession of shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life; section 18 GBH and conspiracy to cause GBH.

 The quartet were due to appear at Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and St Helens Adult Remand Court on the morning of February 20.

Lacey, older brother of Manchester United starlet Shea, has been competing as a professional boxer since October 2021. He had won 12 on the spin before facing Swallow in what was his sixth outing at the city’s main arena. In the main event, home favourite Ball was dropped and stopped in the 12th round by Figueroa, who claimed the WBA featherweight title as a result of his victory.