Justice has been done for Rhys, say parents

Following the conviction of gang member Sean Mercer for the killing, Stephen Jones said his family could begin rebuilding their lives.

Mr Jones, accompanied by his wife Melanie, read a statement outside court expressing thanks for all the messages of support they had received.

He said: “From the day Rhys died, the kindness shown to us by the people of Liverpool has been immeasurable.

For this, we will always thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“Over the months, we have found strength in the messages of support from the many thousands of strangers around the world.

“For the family, this is not the final chapter in this tragedy, but now at least we can begin the challenge of rebuilding our lives.”

Mr Jones also thanked Merseyside Police officers involved in the case, including Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, who ran the investigation, and family liaison officers, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service.

He said: “Finally, justice has been done for Rhys.

“Firstly, we would like to record our enormous gratitude to the Merseyside Police officers whose professionalism and perseverance secured this outcome, especially to Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our employer, Tesco, for their understanding during this most difficult time.”

Mr and Mrs Jones maintained a quiet dignity throughout the search for their son’s killer and the subsequent trial.

The day after 11-year-old Rhys was killed, the couple faced the media and made a heartbreaking appeal for information to catch those responsible.

Rhys was cradled in his mother’s arms in the car park of the Fir Tree pub, about 350 yards from their home in Croxteth Park, after he was shot by gang member Sean Mercer.

Three days later, the couple, and Rhys’s older brother, Owen, 18, stood on Everton Football Club’s pitch at Goodison Park alongside team manager David Moyes as applause reverberated through the crowd in memory of Rhys.

Mr Kelly said: “I remember meeting Melanie right at the beginning.

“I went to her home, she was clearly upset. When I was leaving she got hold of my hand and looked into my eyes as if she was almost pleading.

“I knew then, more than any time, the magnitude of the task I faced.

“I hope they can find some rest and move on with the rest of their lives.

“I am a father myself – to lose a loved one in those circumstances for no credible reason must be an awful thing.

“It has been an honour to work on this case to try to bring someone to justice.”

As the months passed, Mr and Mrs Jones helped to raise money for a new community centre in honour of their son.

Mr Jones, a Tesco retail manager, joined about 600 people in the Liverpool Unites Run for Rhys in September, watched by his family.

Liverpool Unites, which has charitable status, is the Liverpool Echo’s anti-gun campaign, which was launched following Rhys’s murder.

In August, his parents also watched the Liverpool Unites Concert for Rhys at the Liverpool Echo Arena, which included performances from former Spice Girl Melanie C, Tony Christie and Natasha Hamilton.

Money from both events went towards the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund to build the community centre close to where the schoolboy was killed.