Rhys Jones: Crimewatch appeal leads to 'fantastic response'

Sep 26 2007 By Alan Weston

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones last night said there had been a “fantastic response” to their appeal for information on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

In particular, a key witness has now been traced – the woman driver of a red car who nearly ran over the teenage gunman as he fled the scene on his mountain bike, just seconds after firing the shots which killed Rhys in the Fir Tree pub car park in Croxteth.

The senior investigating officer, Det Supt Dave Kelly, also told Crimewatch presenter Fiona Bruce that 12 people had phoned in, all identifying the same person as the gunman.

He added that “significant information” had been provided as to where the gun which shot Rhys may be found.

And he warned the killer: “The net is closing in. It is only a matter of time before we come knocking on the door.”

Viewers saw Rhys’s mother, Melanie, make a tearful plea to the killer’s mother to turn him in to the police.

Speaking on the eve of her son’s birthday, Mrs Jones said the family needed to see the killer brought to justice before they could move on.

Her appeal came as CCTV footage of the youngster police suspect of shooting Rhys was broadcast for the first time.

Sitting with her husband Steve, Mrs Jones, 41, said: “She must know it is him, or she must have some suspicion. Even for his own safety, she should hand him in.

“We can’t rest or try to move on without this person being caught and brought to justice.”

The footage shows a hooded youngster in a black tracksuit cycling near the Fir Tree public house, moments before and after Rhys was shot.

Police estimate the boy is about 16 years old and around 5ft8in tall. They want to speak to anyone who saw him before or after the shooting.

The biker passed in front of a car being driven along Fir Tree North, near the scene of the shooting on August 22, and it was this driver who was traced following last night’s appeal.

Mr Kelly said on the programme: “These images may be grainy but we are sure that if this is your son, grandson, brother, friend or neighbour, you will recognise them from this footage.

“The moving footage on tonight’s show will be particularly revealing, as you will be able to see the cyclist’s mannerisms and movement.

“The offender and any others involved in this need to know we are determined to prosecute those responsible. We are doing everything possible to build up a strong evidential case, which will put those responsible behind bars.”

Mrs Jones told the programme of the moments after painful it would be for the family on his birthday.

“When he smiled he just made you feel warm and made you smile back at him,” she said. “It’s horrible at home. It’s so quiet. It’s never going to be the same again again.”

She also described the moments after she found out her son had been injured and ran to his side.

“When I got there he was just lying there in a pool of blood and I think he was already gone. I didn’t want to let him go. He was just lying there with his kit on. I said ‘Come on, stay with me baby.”’

The CCTV images of the suspect broadcast last night were enhanced by experts, who have been working on the recordings for the past few weeks.

The investigation team is now speaking to leading international organisations to try and carry out further enhancements of the footage.