A MEDIA scrum descended on Liverpool Crown Court yesterday as the trial into the murder of Rhys Jones began.

The eyes of the country were focused on the court building in Derby Square, which was surrounded with TV vans from Britain’s major news organisations.

An annex had to be created to house a large number of journalists who could not fit into the main court room, and stories were being filed throughout the day to websites, TV news bulletins and radio stations, both throughout Merseyside and nationally.

There was a considerable police presence at court, with metal detectors in place on the entrance to the court room, and officers keeping a watchful eye over proceedings.

The situation was similar outside the court building, with police guarding each doorway.

Journalists listened in earnest as the prosecution outlined their case against Sean Mercer and his co-accused, a case which includes the use of a probe, phone records and a long list of witnesses.

The opening, read by Neil Flewitt, QC, will not conclude until today.