Rhys mother in appeal to caller

Rhys's parents said they faced a difficult few days

The mother of murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones has urged a mystery caller who contacted police days after his killing to get back in touch.

Melanie Jones and her husband Stephen renewed their appeal for help to catch their son's killer four weeks to the day after he was shot dead in Croxteth.

The couple said they faced a traumatic week with their son's 12th birthday and their 20th wedding anniversary.

They said they "could not move on" until the killer was found.

The police officer in charge of the investigation almost broke down as he underlined their appeal at the press conference at Merseyside police headquarters.

I really, really can't come to terms with what they're going through Det Supt Dave Kelly

Det Supt Dave Kelly said: "Do the honourable thing and come forward."

His voice breaking with emotion, he said: "I really, really can't come to terms with what they're going through."

The officer said it was "only a matter of time" before the killer would be caught.

Rhys was walking home from football practice through the Fir Tree pub car park in Croxteth, Liverpool, when he was shot dead on 22 August.

Mrs Jones urged a mystery caller who spoke to the police at 2310 BST on Saturday 25 August to get back in touch.

Rhys Jones was shot as he walked home after playing football

Detectives also want to trace a woman who was driving a red car past the scene.

Mr Jones, a supermarket night shift manager, said: "Four weeks ago we were a normal happy family, with us, Rhys and his older brother Owen.

"All that changed on that Wednesday when Rhys was on his way back from a game of football and lost his life.

"There are people out there who know who has done it and I appeal for them to come forward."

Mrs Jones said: "The only reason we are here today is because we need help.

"We need the person who killed our son to be brought to justice to give us a bit of peace.

"I am pleading with that man who phoned to come forward."