This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/7697634.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Man found 'Rhys suspect' bicycle Man found 'Rhys suspect' bicycle
(about 2 hours later)
A man found a mountain bike, allegedly owned by the man accused of killing Rhys Jones, hidden in bushes a day after the shooting, a court has heard. A mountain bike allegedly owned by the man accused of killing Rhys Jones was found hidden in bushes a day after the shooting, a court has heard.
The Specialized Hardrock cycle, which did not have its wheels, was found by Lesley Shimmin four miles from the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool.The Specialized Hardrock cycle, which did not have its wheels, was found by Lesley Shimmin four miles from the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Liverpool.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr Shimmin took it home and left it in his garden until recognising it after an appeal.Liverpool Crown Court heard Mr Shimmin took it home and left it in his garden until recognising it after an appeal.
Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close in Croxteth, denies murder.Sean Mercer, 18, of Good Shepherd Close in Croxteth, denies murder.
Prosecutors say Rhys, 11, was struck by one of three bullets fired by Mr Mercer across the car park of the pub on 22 August 2007.Prosecutors say Rhys, 11, was struck by one of three bullets fired by Mr Mercer across the car park of the pub on 22 August 2007.
Jurors have previously been told the serial number of the bike matched the serial number of a bicycle provided to Mr Mercer by an insurance company to replace a stolen bike.Jurors have previously been told the serial number of the bike matched the serial number of a bicycle provided to Mr Mercer by an insurance company to replace a stolen bike.
On Wednesday, Mr Shimmin told the jury he was cycling along Arbour Lane, on Kirkby Industrial Estate, last summer when he found the bicycle. Mr Shimmin told the jury he was cycling along Arbour Lane, on Kirkby Industrial Estate, last summer when he found the bicycle.
'Good condition' Rhys Jones was shot outside the Fir Tree pub
Questioned by Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, he said it had been placed underneath a bush which was behind iron bars at the side of the road.Questioned by Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, he said it had been placed underneath a bush which was behind iron bars at the side of the road.
He said: "It was missing its wheels. It looked like an expensive bike to me. It was in good condition and had the word Specialized on it."He said: "It was missing its wheels. It looked like an expensive bike to me. It was in good condition and had the word Specialized on it."
Mr Shimmin was shown CCTV footage of the industrial estate - recorded on 23 August 2007 - and said he recognised himself and his group.Mr Shimmin was shown CCTV footage of the industrial estate - recorded on 23 August 2007 - and said he recognised himself and his group.
He took the bike home to restore and stored it in his garden until he saw a picture of a similar bike in the Liverpool Echo in February 2008.He took the bike home to restore and stored it in his garden until he saw a picture of a similar bike in the Liverpool Echo in February 2008.
Bicycle in court
The bicycle frame was later brought into court and shown to the jury.The bicycle frame was later brought into court and shown to the jury.
'Old revolver'
James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road and Nathan Quinn, 18, of Wickett Close, both 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 Boy M, 16, and Boy K, 17, who cannot be named.James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road and Nathan Quinn, 18, of Wickett Close, both 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 Boy M, 16, and Boy K, 17, who cannot be named.
All six deny the charges.All six deny the charges.
It is the prosecution case that after the shooting Mr Mercer cycled to the home of Boy M where he met with Mr Yates and Mr Quinn.It is the prosecution case that after the shooting Mr Mercer cycled to the home of Boy M where he met with Mr Yates and Mr Quinn.
The gun was found by police who raided the loft of a house in Croxteth
A teenage witness told the jury he collected the mountain bike from Boy M's home and cycled to a local playing field where he played football.A teenage witness told the jury he collected the mountain bike from Boy M's home and cycled to a local playing field where he played football.
A relative of Mr Mercer's was among those playing football and told police he then took the bicycle to the defendant's home and left it in the porch.A relative of Mr Mercer's was among those playing football and told police he then took the bicycle to the defendant's home and left it in the porch.
The trial later heard from a forensic scientist specialising in firearms, ammunition and scenes of shooting incidents, Mark Robinson.
Mr Robinson was called by the prosecution to give evidence about the murder weapon.
He said: "It's an old revolver manufactured by Smith and Wesson in the United States.
"It probably dates from about 1915 and is one of a batch brought over by the British Army for use in the First World War."
Prohibited weapon
He said the gun bore the markings of the British military of the period.
Describing two firing methods for the gun, he said it could be fired with as little force as 5lb.
He added: "It would be very easy for someone skilled to fire probably two shots a second."
He said it was in good working order but in poor condition - some of the damage would be consistent with its age.
But he said the cartridge chamber had been drilled to make it longer and enable the gun to fire US-made .455 Colt cartridges.
The jurors were then shown the weapon, contained in a box with a see-through panel at the top, and passed it among themselves.
Mr Robinson said the gun was banned by the Firearms Act of 1968 and again made a prohibited weapon under the 1997 Act.
The trial continues.The trial continues.