Rhys accused not giving evidence

Rhys Jones was returning from football practice when he was shot

The alleged killer of schoolboy Rhys Jones has refused to give evidence, a court has heard.

Sean Mercer, 18, is accused of shooting the 11-year-old dead as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth, Liverpool, on 22 August 2007.

At Liverpool Crown Court on Monday Mr Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, declined to enter the witness box.

Richard Pratt QC, defending Mr Mercer, said: "Mr Mercer exercises the right not to call any evidence."

But the trial judge, Justice Irwin, said in court: "I am sure you will have advised him fully about the implications of that [not giving evidence] and that inferences may be drawn from that."

The prosecution alleges Mr Mercer shot Rhys dead in the car park of the Fir Tree pub, before having the murder weapon hidden and his clothes disposed of by his co-defendants.

The other defendants; James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road; Nathan Quinn, of Wickett Close, both Croxteth; Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, Liverpool, along with Boy M, 16, who cannot be named, deny assisting an offender.

The trial continues.