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Rhys co-accused mother's evidence Rhys co-accused mother's evidence
(about 3 hours later)
The mother of a boy accused as part of the Rhys Jones murder trial has given evidence against him.The mother of a boy accused as part of the Rhys Jones murder trial has given evidence against him.
The mother of 16-year-old Boy M, who cannot be named, said alleged killer Sean Mercer showed up at her house after the 11-year-old's killing.The mother of 16-year-old Boy M, who cannot be named, said alleged killer Sean Mercer showed up at her house after the 11-year-old's killing.
She told Liverpool Crown Court he had not been there for four months before the shooting on 22 August 2007.She told Liverpool Crown Court he had not been there for four months before the shooting on 22 August 2007.
Mr Mercer, 18, of Croxteth, has denied murder. Boy M is one of six who deny assisting an offender.Mr Mercer, 18, of Croxteth, has denied murder. Boy M is one of six who deny assisting an offender.
The woman, who also cannot be named, told the jury that Mr Mercer was joined at her house on the night of the killing about 20 minutes later by two of his co-defendants, James Yates, 20, and Nathan Quinn, who turned 18 on Monday and can be named publicly. The woman, who also cannot be named, told the jury that Mr Mercer was joined at her house about 20 minutes later on the night of the killing by two of his co-defendants, James Yates, 20, and Nathan Quinn, who turned 18 on Monday and can now be named publicly.
After her son was initially arrested and released, Mr Mercer arrived at her house to speak to her son but she did not hear the conversation, the court was told.After her son was initially arrested and released, Mr Mercer arrived at her house to speak to her son but she did not hear the conversation, the court was told.
Charges deniedCharges denied
She added that the teenager also rang the house to speak to her son on 3 September when the police were at the house to take her statement.She added that the teenager also rang the house to speak to her son on 3 September when the police were at the house to take her statement.
Her son "was afraid of being called a grass", she told the jury.Her son "was afraid of being called a grass", she told the jury.
Richard Pratt QC, for Sean Mercer, said his client was not at Boy M's house that night.
"Do you accept that could be a possibility?" he asked the boy's mother.
"No," she answered.
"Another possibility is that you could be lying," said Mr Pratt.
"What have I got to lie for?" said the witness.
Under pressure
Under cross-examination from the boy's barrister, Tim Clark, she told the court her son had been diagnosed with ADHD aged 11.
When he was under pressure his memory worsened, he became frustrated and would become angry and unpleasant, said Mr Clark.
His mother said: "He would say things without thinking and do things without thinking."
Boy M denies three counts of assisting an offender - namely, dumping the murder weapon, bike and clothes used during the killing.Boy M denies three counts of assisting an offender - namely, dumping the murder weapon, bike and clothes used during the killing.
He refused to join his six co-defendants this morning because he did not want to see his mother give evidence, the jury was told.He refused to join his six co-defendants this morning because he did not want to see his mother give evidence, the jury was told.
Mr Quinn, 18, of Croxteth; Mr 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 boy M. Mr Quinn, 18, of Croxteth; Mr 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 boy M.
A 17-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges.A 17-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition. All deny the charges.
The trial continues The trial continues.