THE community torn apart by Rhys Jones’s murder can attempt to move on now his killer has been brought to justice.

That was the view of community leaders in Croxteth Park yesterday, as the impact of Sean Mercer’s minimum 22-year sentence for the 11-year-old’s murder began to sink in.

The Ministry of Justice last night refused to confirm whether 18-year-old Mercer would serve his sentence on Merseyside or be taken elsewhere.

His QC, Richard Pratt, also said he could not give any decision regarding a possible appeal – on conviction or length of sentence – until he had spoken to his client.

Community leaders believe the media glare which has descended on Croxteth Park has had an adverse effect on the area, but residents are are now pulling together to making sure the community centre being built in Rhys’s memory becomes a fitting testament to him.

The fund has now gathered £750,000, including £100,000 raised through the Liverpool Unites campaign backed by the Daily Post and our sister paper the Liverpool Echo, and organisers are about to go out to community consultation.

Yesterday, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she did not want any other parents to suffer like Rhys’s mother and father, saying: "we are not going to let up" in the pursuit of gang members.

Speaking about the murder, Croxteth councillor Phil Moffatt said: "The convictions are tremendous news as far as the community is concerned, but the media spotlight has taken its toll.

"You will always get some tabloids who revert back to the old stereotypes, but we are getting through it.

"People in the area are in awe of the way Melanie and Stephen have dealt with the tragedy, and are looking to them for their example.

"We are now going to consult the community on the centre plans which we want to serve all sections of society here."