Rhys killer's mother loses home

Janette Mercer's family has 14 days to empty the house

The jailed mother of Rhys Jones' killer has lost her home after a judge at Liverpool County Court granted a possession order to her landlord.

Janette Mercer, 50, and her family will never again be able to live at the property in Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, let by Riverside Housing.

Mercer had challenged the application but did not attend the court hearings.

A spokesman for the social landlord told the judge gang-related anti-social behaviour had centred on the house.

'Abusive conduct'

Mercer was jailed for three years in April for lying to detectives investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys in Liverpool in August 2007.

Her son Sean Mercer, 19, was jailed for life after being convicted of the shooting.

Paul Burns, for Riverside Housing, had told Judge Graham Platts of the impact of Rhys's death on the local community.

Mr Burns said: "The murder of Rhys Jones not only produced outrage and upset in the community but also national public dismay."

'Treated unfairly'

He added that neighbours had suffered from "threatening and abusive conduct" at the hands of Janette Mercer and her children, and said one family was forced from its home next door after persistent harassment.

In letters to Judge Platts, Mercer complained she was being "treated unfairly" and was "very upset" about the allegations of anti-social behaviour.

Giving his verdict, Judge Platts said no remorse was shown in Janette Mercer's letters and he had "no hesitation" in finding Riverside's case was proven.

Her family has 14 days to empty the house before Riverside takes possession. The landlord will then prepare it to be re-let.