Man accused of dumping gun used to kill Rhys Jones

Apr 19 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Rhys Jones

A MAN has appeared in court accused of dumping the gun that killed 11-year-old Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones.

James Yates, 20, is also accused of burning the clothes worn by the 17-year-old alleged killer.

Yates, of Dodman Road, Croxteth, spoke only to confirm his name and address at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court and District Judge Richard Clancy remanded him in custody until next Friday.

At the back of court, Rhys’s parents, Stephen, 45, and Melanie, 42, sat only feet away from the defendant’s parents.

Rhys’s parents, wearing purple Unite campaign ribbons, locked arms throughout the hearing.

On Thursday, Mrs Jones wept as six other defendants appeared in court, including the 17-year-old on a charge of murder. There were more tears as prosecuting solicitor Nicki Collins outlined what allegedly happened in the hours after Rhys’s death.

The details cannot be reported until the trial.

Rhys was killed on August 22 last year after being shot through the neck on the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park, Merseyside.