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01/04/2009
Rhys Killer's Mother Jailed For Three Years
The mother of the teenager convicted of murdering Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones, has been jailed for three years.
Janette Mercer, 49, admitted perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court in February.
She supported her gang member son, Sean Mercer, 18, by telling police he owned a back and cream mountain bicycle rather than the silver bike which was caught on CCTV being used by the gunman.
The judge told her she knew her son had told a "pack of lies".
Meanwhile, the parents of the boy who armed Rhys Jones's killer have pleaded guilty to lying to police investigating the murder.
Frank and Marie Yates, aged 49 and 51, admitted perverting the course of justice when they appeared before Liverpool Crown Court.
Marie Yates admitted burning a mobile phone chip which belonged to their 21-year-old son James.
Mr Yates also admitted giving convicted murderer Sean Mercer a false alibi. He was with his wife when the Sim was set on fire.
The couple from Dodman Road, Croxteth were both sentenced to 18 months in prison for destroying the Sim card.
Francis Yates was jailed for three years, to be served consecutively, for helping Mercer with a false albib.
To Mercer Judge Henry Globe QC said: Your son was a key suspect in the murder and you knew he had told a pack of lies.
"You backed him up and you told more lies."
Speaking to the couple and Mercer, he said: "The complexity of the police investigation was such that nobody was able to be charged with any offence for months.
“You wasted valuable police time and undermined the prospect of justice."
Eleven-year-old Rhys died in his mother’s arms after being shot in the car park at the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, on 22 August 2007.
(JM/BMcC)
Janette Mercer, 49, admitted perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court in February.
She supported her gang member son, Sean Mercer, 18, by telling police he owned a back and cream mountain bicycle rather than the silver bike which was caught on CCTV being used by the gunman.
The judge told her she knew her son had told a "pack of lies".
Meanwhile, the parents of the boy who armed Rhys Jones's killer have pleaded guilty to lying to police investigating the murder.
Frank and Marie Yates, aged 49 and 51, admitted perverting the course of justice when they appeared before Liverpool Crown Court.
Marie Yates admitted burning a mobile phone chip which belonged to their 21-year-old son James.
Mr Yates also admitted giving convicted murderer Sean Mercer a false alibi. He was with his wife when the Sim was set on fire.
The couple from Dodman Road, Croxteth were both sentenced to 18 months in prison for destroying the Sim card.
Francis Yates was jailed for three years, to be served consecutively, for helping Mercer with a false albib.
To Mercer Judge Henry Globe QC said: Your son was a key suspect in the murder and you knew he had told a pack of lies.
"You backed him up and you told more lies."
Speaking to the couple and Mercer, he said: "The complexity of the police investigation was such that nobody was able to be charged with any offence for months.
“You wasted valuable police time and undermined the prospect of justice."
Eleven-year-old Rhys died in his mother’s arms after being shot in the car park at the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, on 22 August 2007.
(JM/BMcC)
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17 November 2008
Rhys Jones Accused Declines To Give Evidence
The alleged killer of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones, will not be giving evidence in his own defence, a court has heard. Sean Mercer, 18, has declined to offer any evidence, his barrister, Richard Pratt QC, told Liverpool Crown Court.
Rhys Jones Accused Declines To Give Evidence
The alleged killer of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones, will not be giving evidence in his own defence, a court has heard. Sean Mercer, 18, has declined to offer any evidence, his barrister, Richard Pratt QC, told Liverpool Crown Court.
29 January 2009
Mercer Gang Members Sentenced
Three gang members who helped the killer of Rhys Jones cover his tracks, have today been jailed. James Yates, 20, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to seven years in prison, Dean Kelly, 17, four years and Nathan Quinn, 18, to two years.
Mercer Gang Members Sentenced
Three gang members who helped the killer of Rhys Jones cover his tracks, have today been jailed. James Yates, 20, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to seven years in prison, Dean Kelly, 17, four years and Nathan Quinn, 18, to two years.
02 October 2008
Rhys Jones Accused Trial Begins
A teenager accused of murdering a Liverpool schoolboy is to go on trial today. Rhys Jones, aged 11, was shot dead on August 22 last year as he was making his way homes from football training in Croxteth Park, Liverpool.
Rhys Jones Accused Trial Begins
A teenager accused of murdering a Liverpool schoolboy is to go on trial today. Rhys Jones, aged 11, was shot dead on August 22 last year as he was making his way homes from football training in Croxteth Park, Liverpool.
08 March 2007
Tory frontbencher resigns over race comments
A frontbench Conservative MP has forced to quit his post following comments about the use of racist language in the Army. Patrick Mercer, the party's spokesperson on homeland security, resigned from his post following comments he made to 'The Times' about racial abuse in the Army.
Tory frontbencher resigns over race comments
A frontbench Conservative MP has forced to quit his post following comments about the use of racist language in the Army. Patrick Mercer, the party's spokesperson on homeland security, resigned from his post following comments he made to 'The Times' about racial abuse in the Army.
31 May 2013
Conservative MP Patrick Mercer Quits Over BBC Panorama Programme
A Conservative MP has resigned from the party follwing a BBC Panorama programme alleging he broke parliamentary rules over lobbying. Mr Patrick Merecer will step down as MP for Newark at the general election in 2015. Mr Mercer said: “Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.
Conservative MP Patrick Mercer Quits Over BBC Panorama Programme
A Conservative MP has resigned from the party follwing a BBC Panorama programme alleging he broke parliamentary rules over lobbying. Mr Patrick Merecer will step down as MP for Newark at the general election in 2015. Mr Mercer said: “Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.
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