Seventh remand made in Rhys case

A 20-year-old man charged in connection with the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones has been remanded in custody.

James Yates, of Croxteth, Liverpool, is accused of dumping the murder weapon and burning the killer's clothes.

He appeared before a district judge at Liverpool Magistrates' Court charged with assisting an offender.

Six people, including a 17-year-old youth charged with murder, appeared at the same court on Thursday. All seven suspects will re-appear next Friday.

Speaking to Mr Yates on Friday, District Judge Richard Clancy said: "The nature of this charge strikes at the very heart of justice."

Rhys, 11, was shot dead in the car park of the Fir Tree pub near his home in Croxteth Park as he walked home from football practice in August last year.

Gun charge

Police believe he innocently walked into an ambush involving two north Liverpool gangs.

Gary Kayes, 25, Melvyn Coy, 24, both from West Derby, are charged with assisting an offender.

A 17-year-old boy and two boys aged 16, who cannot be named but are from Croxteth, face the same charge.

One of the 16-year-olds is also charged with being in possession of a revolver, ammunition and a replica 8mm pistol.

The other 16-year-old is accused of disposing of the murder weapon, clothing and a bicycle used in the killing.

The 17-year-old charged with assisting an offender is accused of helping dispose of the murder weapon and clothing.

A number of people have been arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries.

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