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Youth remanded over Rhys killing | Youth remanded over Rhys killing |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A 17-year-old youth has appeared in court charged with murdering Rhys Jones who was shot dead while walking home from football training in Liverpool. | A 17-year-old youth has appeared in court charged with murdering Rhys Jones who was shot dead while walking home from football training in Liverpool. |
The teenager is accused of shooting the 11-year-old in the neck in Croxteth Park on 22 August last year. | The teenager is accused of shooting the 11-year-old in the neck in Croxteth Park on 22 August last year. |
Gary Kayes, 25, Melvyn Coy, 24, a 17-year-old boy and two boys aged 16 are charged with assisting an offender. | Gary Kayes, 25, Melvyn Coy, 24, a 17-year-old boy and two boys aged 16 are charged with assisting an offender. |
All six appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court where they were remanded in custody until 25 April. | All six appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court where they were remanded in custody until 25 April. |
One of the 16-year-olds is also charged with being in possession of a Smith and Wesson .55 revolver, ammunition and a replica 8mm pistol. | |
All of the teenage defendants are from Croxteth. | |
Mr Coy and Mr Kayes are from the West Derby area of the city. | Mr Coy and Mr Kayes are from the West Derby area of the city. |
'Extremely serious' | 'Extremely serious' |
Rhys was killed in the car park of the Fir Tree pub near his home. | Rhys was killed in the car park of the Fir Tree pub near his home. |
Police arrested 13 people in dawn raids on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the youngster's death. | Police arrested 13 people in dawn raids on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the youngster's death. |
Three people, aged 49, 50, and 54, and a 16-year-old youth, have been released on bail pending further inquiries. | Three people, aged 49, 50, and 54, and a 16-year-old youth, have been released on bail pending further inquiries. |
Security was tight around Liverpool Magistrates' Court | Security was tight around Liverpool Magistrates' Court |
A 22-year-old man was also bailed on Tuesday night. A man aged 20 remains in custody, while a 21-year-old woman has been released without charge. | A 22-year-old man was also bailed on Tuesday night. A man aged 20 remains in custody, while a 21-year-old woman has been released without charge. |
Rhys's parents, Stephen and Melanie Jones, were in court for the hearing. | Rhys's parents, Stephen and Melanie Jones, were in court for the hearing. |
No plea was entered and the facts of the case were not opened. | No plea was entered and the facts of the case were not opened. |
District Judge Richard Clancy agreed to remand the accused into custody for one week, but said he hoped a trial could be started as soon as possible. | District Judge Richard Clancy agreed to remand the accused into custody for one week, but said he hoped a trial could be started as soon as possible. |
He said: "Because he's a youth it's necessary to move the case on as quickly as possible." | He said: "Because he's a youth it's necessary to move the case on as quickly as possible." |
Addressing the defendant, he said: "You appreciate you are charged with an extremely serious matter. | Addressing the defendant, he said: "You appreciate you are charged with an extremely serious matter. |
"You will be remanded, in the first instance to 25 April at 9.45am. We will try to deal with that by video link." | "You will be remanded, in the first instance to 25 April at 9.45am. We will try to deal with that by video link." |
Security operation | |
The second 16-year-old boy charged with assisting an offender is accused of disposing of the murder weapon, clothing and a bicycle used in the killing. | |
The other 17-year-old is also accused of helping dispose of the murder weapon and clothing. | |
The hearing saw unprecedented security at the magistrates' court. | |
Part of the road was sectioned off and more than 20 police vehicles were stationed around the building. |