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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rhys witness 'saw hoodie cyclist' | Rhys witness 'saw hoodie cyclist' |
| (about 8 hours 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. | Another witness, Anna Snape, told how she was walking near the scene shortly after Rhys was shot. |
| Uncovered face | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| The court also heard from the mother of 17-year-old Boy K, who is accused of hiding the murder weapon, possessing two guns and ammunition. | |
| 'Face charges' | |
| In her statement to police she denied that Sean Mercer was at her house with her son when Rhys was killed. | |
| She said Mr Mercer arrived at about 1915 BST but left with her son before 1930 BST - rebuffing his alibi. | |
| In court the woman stood by her statement, saying: "It was the truth." | |
| But when asked by Mr Mercer's QC, Richard Pratt, if it was possible that Sean Mercer was at her house from 1900 BST to 2015 BST, she said: "Yes, could be." | |
| The prosecution claim reputed Crocky Crew gang member Sean Mercer fired three bullets across the car park of the Fir Tree pub at rivals from the Strand Gang - one killing schoolboy Rhys Jones. | |
| 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 is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges. | |
| The trial resumes on Monday 20 October. |