A TEENAGER has pleaded not guilty to the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered his plea at a hearing this afternoon at Liverpool Crown Court.

Pleas of not guilty were also entered by six others charged in connection with the case.

James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth, denied possessing a gun and assisting an offender.

Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both West Derby, denied assisting an offender.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, denied assisting an offender, and possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Two 16-year-old boys also denied assisting an offender.

All appeared in custody before the court yesterday, except for one of the 16-year-olds who entered his plea by video link from prison.

Rhys’s parents, Melanie and Stephen, were both in court for yesterday’s hearing.

The 11-year-old was shot dead on August 22 last year as he walked home from football practice.

He died in his mother Melanie’s arms in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Merseyside.

The seven accused will return to Liverpool Crown Court for trial on October 2.