Mother jailed for lying

THE mother of Rhys Jones’s killer has been jailed for three years for lying to detectives investigating the murder in Liverpool.

The judge told Janette Mercer, 49, she knew her son had told “a pack of lies”. She backed her son, Sean, 18, when he denied owning a silver bike caught on CCTV being used by the gunman.

Mercer had earlier admitted perverting the course of justice.

The parents of Sean Mercer’s co-accused James Yates, were also sentenced to 18 months.

Marie Yates, 51, destroyed a mobile SIM card belonging to her son, which denied police vital evidence.

Francis Yates, 49, was with his wife when the SIM card was set on fire and also suggested a false alibi.