THE killer of Rhys Jones has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence for the crime.

The legal team representing 18-year-old Sean Mercer lodged papers with the Court of Appeal this week, it was confirmed last night.

Mercer killed Everton fan Rhys, 11, as he walked home from football practise on Wednesday, August 22, 2007. His parents, Melanie and Stephen declined to comment on Mercer’s appeal last night.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court listened to 11 weeks of evidence before unanimously finding Mercer guilty of murder.

They took three and a half days to come back with their decision.

Appeal arguments have not yet been revealed, but papers show Mercer will appeal against the 22-year minimum sentence tariff issued by High Court Judge Mr Justice Irwin and also the guilty verdict.

Solicitors had confirmed Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, may try to appeal against the length of his sentence earlier this month. The Criminal Appeal Office, at the Royal Court of Justice, in London, confirmed last night that papers had been received.

Rhys was less than 200 yards from home when he was hit by a bullet fired across the car park of the Fir Tree pub, Fir Tree Drive South, Croxteth Park.

Mercer fired three shots in total at rival gang members from Norris Green.

The second hit Rhys, but he still let off the third in an attempt to hit his targets.