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| Rhys witness 'saw hoodie cyclist' | Rhys witness 'saw hoodie cyclist' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A witness in the Rhys Jones murder trial has told of seeing a hoodie-wearing youth cycling away from the scene of the killing in Liverpool. | A witness in the Rhys Jones murder trial has told of seeing a hoodie-wearing youth cycling away from the scene of the killing in Liverpool. |
| The prosecution alleges that the cyclist was Sean Mercer, 18, who denies murdering Rhys, 11, near the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth on 22 August last year. | The prosecution alleges that the cyclist was Sean Mercer, 18, who denies murdering Rhys, 11, near the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth on 22 August last year. |
| Driver Donna Heague said in a statement that she had to slow down and brake as the youth cycled into the road. | Driver Donna Heague said in a statement that she had to slow down and brake as the youth cycled into the road. |
| She said she almost hit the cyclist as he rode away. | She said she almost hit the cyclist as he rode away. |
| Another witness, Anna Snape, told how she was walking near the scene shortly after Rhys was shot. | |
| Uncovered face | |
| Speaking from behind a screen, she said a cyclist "didn't even attempt to stop" as he emerged to her left before entering nearby woods. | |
| She got a glimpse of his uncovered face from about 20 yards and believed she could identify him. | |
| In her police statement she described the cyclist as aged between 15 and 17, of slim build, about 5ft 6in (1.68m) tall, and riding a dark grey bike. | |
| However, when she attended an identity parade a few weeks after the murder she could not pick out the defendant Sean Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth. | |
| Six others face charges alongside Mr Mercer. | Six others face charges alongside Mr Mercer. |
| 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 alongside 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 alongside two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified. |
| A second 17-year-old boy has been charged with assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges. | A second 17-year-old boy has been charged with assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges. |
| The trial continues. | The trial continues. |