Rhys Jones update: Several positive lines

Oct 17 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

POLICE investigating the death of 11-year-old Rhys Jones told his inquest they were pursuing several “positive lines” of inquiry.

A detective gave an update during the brief resumption of the inquest yesterday which was attended by the young Everton fan’s parents Stephen, 44, and Melanie, 41.

Acting Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly from Merseyside Police also used the opportunity to again urge those closest to the killer to come forward.

Asked by Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello whether there were active lines of inquiry, he replied: “Yes. A number of positive lines of inquiry that are ongoing.”

Rhys was shot through the neck as he walked home from football training in the Fir Tree Pub car park in Croxteth Park on August 22.

While three police officers stood guard outside Liverpool Coroner’s Court, in the Cotton Exchange, Mr Kelly said that there had been “significant co-operation” from people in Liverpool, but said that those people closest to the killer had not contacted police.

He said: “I would ask them to look at the devastation caused to this family and to please come forward.”