Four face charges over Rhys death

Rhys was shot dead in August 2007

Four more people are facing charges in connection with the murder of Rhys Jones in Liverpool, police have said.

Rhys, 11, was shot in a pub car park in Croxteth Park on 22 August as he walked home from football practice.

James Hughes, 22, of Willow Way, and Janette Marie Mercer, 48, both from Croxteth, are charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Francis Yates, 48, and Marie Yates, 50, both of Dodman Road, Croxteth, have been summonsed for the same offence.

Merseyside Police said all four were due to appear before Liverpool Magistrates' Court on 17 June.

Trial dates

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named, has already been charged with the boy's murder and is awaiting trial.

A further six people have been charged over the shooting in the car park of the Fir Tree pub near Rhys's family home in August 2007.

James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, and two boys aged 16 and 17, who cannot be identified, are charged with assisting an offender.

Another 16-year-old boy is accused of assisting an offender and possessing a firearm and ammunition.

The seven appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link on Monday.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Henry Globe QC, remanded them in custody and told them their trial was likely to start on 2 October.

He adjourned the case until 24 July, when the defendants are expected to enter pleas.