Rhys shooting murder trial to start

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Sean Mercer, 18, will stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court alongside six others accused of assisting him.

Rhys, 11, was shot dead on August 22 last year as he made his way home from football training in Croxteth Park, Liverpool.

Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, denies murder.

Next to him in the dock will be three other teenagers too young to be named as well as James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close; and Melvin Coy, 25, of Abbeyfield Drive, all Croxteth.

They all deny the charges.

In addition to the trial's start, four others accused as part of the inquiry will appear separately at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mercer's mother Janette Mercer, 49, with whom he lived and James Yates's parents Francis Yates, 48, and Marie Yates, 50, who lived with him in Dodman Road, will appear accused of perverting the course of justice.

They are charged alongside James Hughes, 22, of Willow Way, Croxteth, also accused of perverting the course of justice.

The murder trial is scheduled to last between six and eight weeks. It is thought the start of the trial could be slightly delayed due to legal discussions.