Is your child riding Rhys Jones murder bike?

Oct 22 2007

MURDER squad detectives believe an unsuspecting child could be riding round on the bike used by Rhys Jones’s teenage killer.

Police are still trying to track down the silver and black mountain bike two months after the 11- year-old was gunned down.

Detectives believe the gunman dumped the bike as he fled Croxteth Park.

They think another youngster then picked it up - not knowing it could provide crucial evidence to the murder inquiry team.

Officers are still trying to piece together the events of August 22, the night young Everton FC fan Rhys was shot dead as he walked home from football practice.

They believe the gunman sped away from the Fir Tree pub in Fir Tree Drive South through the Croxteth Park estate and out through Dam wood.

The bike was one of two dumped at around 8.30pm on football pitches in Parkview Road, Croxteth.

It is described as a silver- framed mountain bike with black forks and a black seat.

The second bike, which is thought to belong to someone who met the gunman straight after the shooting, was also a black mountain bike, with suspension under the seat and gears and faulty breaks.

Det Supt Dave Kelly, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would appeal to anyone who took the bikes, anyone who now has possession of the bikes or who knows anything about them to contact the incident room.

“Their information could prove vital to this investigation.”

“Again I would like to thank the public for their continued help and support.

“Everyone who has come forward and everyone we have traced, who was present at the scene, has given a statement and assisted the investigation.”

Eighteen people have been arrested and of those, 13 were bailed.

The other five were released without charge and are now being treated as important witnesses.

Anyone with information about Rhys’s killer or the missing bikes should contact the dedicated incident room on 0151 777 8722 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.