Kirkby: Son of woman stabbed near pub charged with murder

The son of a woman found stabbed in a pub car park has been charged with her murder.

Karen Dempsey, 55, died in hospital after officers were called to a disturbance at the Brambles pub in Kirkby at 20:10 BST on Monday.

Jamie Dempsey, 32, of Brechin Road, Kirkby, handed himself in to officers.

He was also charged with possession of a bladed article, wounding with intent and affray and is due before Liverpool magistrates on Thursday.

A 38-year-old man also arrested at the scene on suspicion of affray and wounding continues to be questioned by Merseyside Police.

The family of Ms Dempsey said she was a "beautiful, vivacious and compassionate woman" whose "zest for life was infectious".

In a tribute, they said she was "dedicated to her work" and "a fantastic advocate for social justice" who made a real difference to people's lives across Kirkby.

"As a family we are devastated by her untimely death [which has] left a huge void in our lives," they said.

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