A MURDER inquiry has been launched following the shooting of a Newton-le-Willows man whose body was left in a car park at Whiston Hospital late on Monday evening.

Despite receiving emergency treatment at the hospital, car dealer John Haselden (24) from Borron Road, later died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police were alerted at about 11.40pm on Monday, December 1 when a man driving a blue Escort Cabriolet - later revealed to be the victim's own car - drove up to the maternity block at Whiston, dragged Mr Haselden from the passenger seat and asked passers-by for help.

The driver is described as white, in his mid-30s and around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall with an athletic build. He was wearing a bright yellow rainproof jacket with a hood of the type fishermen would wear, light-coloured jogging pants, a pale-coloured T shirt and dark trainers. After leaving the victim in the car park he ran over to a white or light-coloured four-door saloon which drove off in the direction of Dragon Lane. It is believed there were two other men in the car.

Police have since learned that Mr Haselden left his home earlier the same evening, at about 10pm, in good spirits. He was driving his car, registration number P212 RMB, and officers are now trying to trace his movements in the intervening period.

They are appealing for anyone who may have seen him leave home and are also keen to hear from two teenage girls who may have seen the white-coloured car leaving the hospital at about 11.40pm.

A special incident room has been set up at Huyton Police Station and the hot-line number to ring with information is 0151 777 6253. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.