Four people appear in court on Rhys Jones murder investigation charges

Four people, including a married couple, today appeared in court charged in connection with the Rhys Jones murder investigation.

Francis Yates, 48, and Marie Yates, 50, answered charges of perverting the course of justice after being summoned to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

The couple, of Dodman Road, Croxteth, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

They are accused of destroying a mobile phone chip that belonged to their son, James Yates, who has already been charged with assisting an offender.

Francis Yates is also accused of providing an alibi for the alleged killer.

The couple appeared before District Judge Richard Clancy along with Janette Mercer, 48, of Good Shepherd Close, and James Hughes, 22, of Willow Way, both Croxteth.

Both were charged with perverting the course of justice and will appear with the Yates couple on Friday for a preliminary hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mercer and Hughes, who are both accused of providing police with false information, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

All four were granted conditional bail.

Rhys, 11, was shot dead on 22 August last year. He was making his way home from football training when a gunman opened fire across the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, close to the schoolboy's home.

He died in his mother's arms.

Janette Mercer and James Hughes are both accused of providing police with false information

Today, Rhys's parents Stephen, 45, and Melanie, 42, sat in court to listen to the proceedings. The couple have not missed one of the several court appearances since charges were brought.

The couple sat with family and support officers appointed by Merseyside Police. Mrs Jones wore a pendant showing a picture of Rhys.

Parents: Stephen and Melanie Jones, pictured at an earlier hearing, were present in court today