But reporting restrictions imposed by the judge meant the media were unable to report the verdicts until all decisions had been reached.

James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road; Nathan Quinn [previously Boy Q], 18, of Wicket Close, both Croxteth, and a 16-year-old known as Boy M were all convicted of assisting an offender.

The jury also convicted Yates of possessing a prohibited firearm - the Smith and Wesson .455 revolver he gave to Mercer to carry out the killing.

At 12.45pm yesterday (Tues), the jury returned again to announce they had also found Kelly guilty by a 10 to two majority.

Shortly after, Mr Justice Irwin agreed to lift the reporting restriction banning the identification of Kelly.

But he rejected appeals to allow the press to reveal Boy M’s identity on the grounds of his age, vulnerability and the fact his relatives had given evidence for the prosecution.

Tim Clark, defending Boy M, said his family were now being moved out of the Croxteth area with the help of police.

Through their barristers James Yates, self-confessed Croxeth gang member Nathan Quinn, Dean Kelly and Boy M all asked to be sentenced after reports had been carried out. This is due to be held on January 29.

But Mercer and his co-accused Melvin Coy and Gary Kays had already asked to be sentenced immediately after the verdicts.

The court heard from prosecutor Neil Flewitt QC who told the court Mercer had a previous conviction for carrying a gas cannister early in 2007.

He said Mercer had a "determination to kill" when he arrived on his bike at the pub car park.

Mr Flewitt added: "From the evidence, this defendant armed himself before going to the scene.

"This was a deliberate and conscious act. It was not a spontaneous act."

He added that Mercer had tracked his intended targets as they rode quickly away and had fired again even after seeing Rhys fall.

Mercer’s barrister Richard Pratt QC said his client's "maintained denial" of the offence meant there was little he could put forward in mitigation other than his young age.

The gang member was just 16 at the time of shooting.

He said there was nothing in Mercer's background to "indicate he was about to embark on criminal violence with such a serious and grave consequence".

Mr Pratt added: "There was nothing to suggest he was a particularly mature 16 or 17 year old.

"In fact I can’t help but feel however grown up these young people thought they were, they were in fact terrible, terribly immature."

Ben Hargreaves, defending Coy, said his client had acted out of a "wholly misplaced sense of loyalty", but he conceded when Coy picked Mercer and the others up from the home of Boy M, he knew what had happened.

Mr Justice Irwin retired for about 45 minutes to consider his comments before returning to jail the three gang members.

He said he believed Mercer had led the events and possibly been encouraged by the anniversary of the death of Norris Green gang member Liam "Smigger" Smith.

But he said Coy and Kay had given "vital assistance".

The judge praised the work of the police, particularly senior investigating officer Det Supt Dave Kelly, in bringing the gang to justice.

He described the investigation as a "remarkable police operation".

Mr Justice Irwin also thanked the jury for "soldiering on" through the 10-week trial despite illness, adding: "We are very much in your debt."