(Above, l-r from top left: Sean Mercer, James Yates, Nathan Quinn, Gary John Kays, Dean Kelly, Melvin Barry Coy)

The prosecution case against him took eight months to build up.

Mercer refused to take the witness stand to explain himself even after his alibi for the night had been disproved and kept silent throughout.

He was sentenced this afternoon to a minimum of 22 years for murder.

It means 18-year-old Mercer will be at least 40 before he is eligible for parole.

James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth; Gary Kays, 26, of Mallard Close, Croxteth Park; and Melvin Coy, 25, of Abbeyfield Drive, Nathan Quinn [previously Boy Q], 18, of Wicket Close, both Croxteth, and Boy M, 16, were convicted of assisting an offender.

Yates was also convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm, a Smith and Wesson .455 revolver used to murder Rhys.

Dean Kelly, formerly Boy K, 17, was convicted of assisting an offender and possessing two firearms and ammunition.

Melvin Coy, 25, and Gary Kays, 26, were both sentenced to seven years each for assisting an offender.