Michael Rainsford Snr fought tirelessly for justice after his son’s murder
16:42, 20 Jul 2025Updated 16:43, 20 Jul 2025
Michael Rainsford Snr, holding a photograph of his son, Mikey Rainsford(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A dad who campaigned tirelessly for justice after his son’s murder has been hailed as a “hero till the end” following his death. Mikey Rainsford was shot twice while standing in the kitchen of his home on Harrington Road in Litherland by brothers James and Michael Foy in a revenge attack for something he had nothing to do with.
The Foys, members of the Linacre Young Guns gang, shot Mikey less than an hour after a brick had been thrown through their mum’s window on April 7, 2020. Both men were convicted of murder the following year – but Mikey’s dad, Michael Rainsford Snr, repeatedly claimed Merseyside Police had information that tied James Foy to another firearm found by officers during a search of a Bootle home in 2019.
Michael provided the ECHO with the police watchdog’s written report earlier this year, which revealed there was no reason why James Foy was not arrested before the murder.
In their written findings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct investigator said: “Having reviewed the available evidence, it is my view that there does not appear to be any reason provided that justifies why the arrest [of James Foy] could not and should not be made prior to the murder.”
The police watchdog investigator added it was their view that a detective “has a case to answer for misconduct…for breach of the standards of professional behaviour for duties and responsibilities”.
Mikey Rainsford(Image: Daily Mirror)
Dan Rainsford, Mikey’s brother and the eldest of Michael’s five living children, has now paid tribute to his “hero” dad following his death. The 59-year-old collapsed while in the car outside his friend’s home on the evening of Sunday, July 6.
He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where they sent him for an urgent brain scan. Doctors found a severe bleed on the brain before he was put in an induced coma. On Thursday, July 10, he was taken off life support surrounded by his family.
Dan said: “He was committed, soft and family-orientated; he was just that kind of guy. He was a genuine person who was very helpful and would always do the right thing for people.”
“It was sudden; he was outside a friend’s house with my brother and step mum in the car and it happened very quick.
“He was pulled out and resuscitated twice and then taken to hospital.
“He was taken straight in for a brain scan, and they found a bleed on the brain. It was irreversible, really; his decline was rapid. His kids were with him when he died.”
Michael was an avid golfing fan and remained family-orientated for his entire life. Dan also explained he will be donating three organs. He said: “He was a hero right until the end.”
Recently he attended the local premiere of Tim Edwards and John May’s film. Tim Edwards’s daughter, Elle Edwards, 26, was murdered in a shooting outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in December 2022.
Tim Edwards (3rd left), with (L-R) Michael Rainsford Snr, Carolyn Cox, Julie Dale, Cheryl Korbel and Joanne Rimmer(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Michael attended and was photographed in a moving picture with other bereaved parents who have lost their children at the hands of gun and knife crime.
Days after her murder, her grieving dad, 53, got in touch with Liverpool actor John May, who was preparing to walk from Lands End to John O’Groats as part of a campaign to end gun and knife crime.
Tim Edwards wrote the following after Michael’s death: “Goodnight my friend I will remember your strength and loyal friendship for all my days. The Edwards family sends all there love to his wonderful family. RIP Michael Rainsford.”