Jailbreak pair face trial after grenade left on Dalglish's wall

Two alleged gang members who escaped from a prison van faced trial in their absence yesterday over a series of gun and grenade attacks.

Tony Downes and Kirk Bradley were being taken to trial last July when a masked gang, armed with a gun and a sledgehammer, ordered guards to open the rear doors and release them.

The gang used guns and grenades in a campaign of terror, Liverpool Crown Court was told. Downes, 25 and Bradley, 26, deny charges of conspiracy to possess firearms with an intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to damage property with an intent to endanger life.

The two men are allegedly linked to a grenade left on the wall of the home of Liverpool football manager Kenny Dalglish, who was not the intended target.