Men admit Dalglish grenade plot

Police said the incident was unconnected to Kenny Dalglish

Two men have admitted their part in an incident which saw a hand grenade left outside the home of former Liverpool footballer Kenny Dalglish.

Mark Johnston, 21, of Liverpool, and Carl Higgins, 29, of Huyton, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court.

They pleaded guilty to conspiring to damage property and recklessly endangering lives.

Another man, Simon Lewis Ignacio, 28, of Liverpool, denied the charges. All three men were remanded in custody.

The Army bomb squad had to be called to the house in Birkdale, Southport, when the live explosive device was found by police in July 2009.

Dalglish, 58, now Liverpool FC's academy director, and his wife Marina, 55, who runs a cancer charity, were not the intended targets and were not at home.

Mr Ignacio, of Lee Park Avenue, Belle Vale, will stand trial on 1 February alongside Johnston's mother, Carol Johnston, 50, of Maqueen Street, Old Swan.

Mrs Johnston, who denies assisting an offender, was released on bail by the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe QC.

Johnston and Higgins will be sentenced following the trial.