Rhys killer's mother admits lying - 16th Feb 2009 12:21pm
The mother of Rhys Jones's killer has admitted lying to police during the schoolboy's murder investigation.
Mrs Mercer admitted lying to police, the court heard
Janette Mercer, 49, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court.
Her son, Sean Mercer, 18, was jailed for life in December for the 11-year-old's murder.
Mrs Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, had previously denied lying about what happened to her son's mountain bike after Rhys was shot dead.
Mrs Mercer was bailed until 1 April at the short hearing, however the judge warned her she faced jail.
Judge Henry Globe said: "She is completely guilty of a serious offence.
"I cannot envisage passing anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."
Mrs Mercer had formally denied the charge when she appeared at court the day before her son went on trial for Rhys' murder last year.
Mercer shot the schoolboy in the car park of the Fir Tree pub, Croxteth, Liverpool before fleeing on his bike.
Rhys died in the arms of his his mother, Melanie, on 22 August 2007.
Merseyside Police gathered evidence against Mercer and six fellow gang members who helped him dispose of his clothing, bike and the murder weapon.
Three others including the parents of James Yates, one of Mercer' accomplices, were charged alongside Mrs Mercer.
Francis and Marie Yates, of Croxteth, are also accused of perverting the course of justice and will stand trial in April.
Their son, James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth was convicted of supplying Mercer with the gun used to kill Rhys.
He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
the bbc
Mrs Mercer admitted lying to police, the court heard
Janette Mercer, 49, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court.
Her son, Sean Mercer, 18, was jailed for life in December for the 11-year-old's murder.
Mrs Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, had previously denied lying about what happened to her son's mountain bike after Rhys was shot dead.
Mrs Mercer was bailed until 1 April at the short hearing, however the judge warned her she faced jail.
Judge Henry Globe said: "She is completely guilty of a serious offence.
"I cannot envisage passing anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."
Mrs Mercer had formally denied the charge when she appeared at court the day before her son went on trial for Rhys' murder last year.
Mercer shot the schoolboy in the car park of the Fir Tree pub, Croxteth, Liverpool before fleeing on his bike.
Rhys died in the arms of his his mother, Melanie, on 22 August 2007.
Merseyside Police gathered evidence against Mercer and six fellow gang members who helped him dispose of his clothing, bike and the murder weapon.
Three others including the parents of James Yates, one of Mercer' accomplices, were charged alongside Mrs Mercer.
Francis and Marie Yates, of Croxteth, are also accused of perverting the course of justice and will stand trial in April.
Their son, James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth was convicted of supplying Mercer with the gun used to kill Rhys.
He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
the bbc