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Rhys Jones killer's mother facing jail after she admits lying to police
Paul Cheston16 Feb 2009
The mother of the boy who killed Rhys Jones was today told that she faces a prison sentence for lying to police during the hunt for the 11-year-old's murderer.
Janette Mercer, 49, today admitted perverting the course of justice at Liverpool crown court, where the judge told her that she was "completely guilty of a serious offence" and that he "cannot envisage passing anything other than" a jail term.
She had previously denied lying about what had happened to her son's mountain bike which he used to cycle away from the murder scene in August 2007, Liverpool crown court heard.
Her son Sean Mercer, 18, was convicted last December of murdering Rhys and was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years' prison, which he is appealing.
Rhys was killed as he walked home from football practice through a pub car park in Croxteth Park. He was hit by a bullet fired by Sean at someone else.
Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, admitted she perverted the course of justice on four points.
Sean's mountain bike had been stolen before Rhys's murder and had been replaced through an insurance company with a silver mountain bike.
Mercer admitted being in a police interview with her son three days after the killing at the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth when the teenager lied that he only owned a black and cream bike.
She was involved in the negotiations with the insurance company to replace the stolen bike in March 2007 and did not tell police.
She also admitted lying to police in a statement she made in September 2007 that her son only owned one bike and had no idea how long he owned it for.
She had previously denied lying about her knowledge of Sean's mountain bike and had said she was ready to go on trial.
Because of those points, the court heard, she had provided false information likely to mislead the murder inquiry.
Judge Henry Globe extended her bail and told her barrister Nigel Power: "She is completely guilty of a serious offence.
"I have agreed to a pre-sentencing report but I cannot envisage passing anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."
Mr Power said that he would "make submissions to the contrary" but said he had explained to the killer's mother the likely sentence.
The case was adjourned until 1 April for the pre-sentencing report.
