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Shot Rhys 'was innocent victim' Shot Rhys 'was innocent victim'
(about 1 hour later)
Rhys Jones became an innocent victim of a violent gang feud when he was shot dead in a pub car park, a court heard.Rhys Jones became an innocent victim of a violent gang feud when he was shot dead in a pub car park, a court heard.
Gunman Sean Mercer's Crocky Crew gang operated around the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park where the 11-year-old was shot, Liverpool Crown Court was told. CCTV footage of the moment the 11-year-old was shot was played to the jury as prosecutors outlined the case against Sean Mercer at Liverpool Crown Court.
Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, told the jury it was the 18-year-old who fired the fatal shot, before disposing of the gun and his clothes. Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said the accused's Crocky Crew gang operated around the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park where the tragedy unfolded.
Mr Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder. Mr Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.
Rhys was shot dead in the Fir Tree pub car park, a few hundred yards from his house, as he walked home from football training on 22 August 2007. Rhys was killed in the pub car park, a few hundred yards from his house, as he walked home from football training on 22 August 2007.
'Violent rivalry'
Mr Flewitt told the court that as Rhys walked across the car park, a hooded gunman on a bicycle came from behind the pub and fired three shots.Mr Flewitt told the court that as Rhys walked across the car park, a hooded gunman on a bicycle came from behind the pub and fired three shots.
"One of those shots hit Rhys Jones in the neck and killed him," said Mr Flewitt. Rhys Jones home video
Rhys was not Sean Mercer's intended victim, he added, but it was the prosecution's case that he fired the fatal shot and was therefore guilty of murder. A three-second clip played to the court showed Rhys crossing the car park and becoming distracted by the sound of a bullet striking a container nearby.
As he turns to look in the direction of the noise, he is struck by what the prosecution say was the second bullet fired by the gunman.
The images showed Rhys fall to the ground where he later died in his mother's arms.
Rhys was not Sean Mercer's intended victim, Mr Flewitt told the court, but it was the prosecution's case that he fired the fatal shot and was therefore guilty of murder.
Immediately after the shooting Sean Mercer set about distancing himself from the killing, Mr Flewitt told the jury.
'Innocent victim'
He said: "He moved quickly to dispose of his clothing, his pedal cycle and the gun that he had used to such devastating effect."
Mr Flewitt said it was the prosecution case that Rhys was the "innocent victim of a long-running feud between rival gangs operating in and around the area of the Fir Tree public house".Mr Flewitt said it was the prosecution case that Rhys was the "innocent victim of a long-running feud between rival gangs operating in and around the area of the Fir Tree public house".
The jury heard the shooting was a product of "fierce and frequently violent rivalry" between young gang members from Croxteth's Crocky Crew and nearby Norris Green's Strand Gang, also known as Nogga Dogs.The jury heard the shooting was a product of "fierce and frequently violent rivalry" between young gang members from Croxteth's Crocky Crew and nearby Norris Green's Strand Gang, also known as Nogga Dogs.
Mr Mercer and six others accused of assisting an offender were all members of the Crocky Crew, said Mr Flewitt.Mr Mercer and six others accused of assisting an offender were all members of the Crocky Crew, said Mr Flewitt.
'Mindless violence'
Mr Flewitt said Mr Mercer was actually shooting at three members of the Strand Gang.Mr Flewitt said Mr Mercer was actually shooting at three members of the Strand Gang.
He told the court: "It is therefore the prosecution case that the murder of Rhys Jones was yet another, and even more tragic, example of the mindless and indiscriminate violence that is a feature of the rivalry between the Croxteth Crew and the Strand Gang."He told the court: "It is therefore the prosecution case that the murder of Rhys Jones was yet another, and even more tragic, example of the mindless and indiscriminate violence that is a feature of the rivalry between the Croxteth Crew and the Strand Gang."
Charges denied
Outlining the history of the violence, Mr Flewitt said there had been at least 70 incidents of criminal damage between the gangs with tit-for-tat shootings.Outlining the history of the violence, Mr Flewitt said there had been at least 70 incidents of criminal damage between the gangs with tit-for-tat shootings.
He said "the strength of the loyalty that existed among gang members and their associates explains the speed and enthusiasm" with which the six co-accused helped Sean Mercer avoid responsibility for the murder.He said "the strength of the loyalty that existed among gang members and their associates explains the speed and enthusiasm" with which the six co-accused helped Sean Mercer avoid responsibility for the murder.
James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender, along with two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified.James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, are accused of assisting an offender, along with two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified.
The sixth accused person, another 17-year-old boy, also denies possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.The sixth accused person, another 17-year-old boy, also denies possessing an illegal firearm and ammunition.
The trial continues.The trial continues.