Rhys murder accused had 'intense hatred' of rival gang

Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones was murdered because of the “intense hatred” of alleged gunman Sean Mercer towards members of a rival gang, a jury was told today.

In his closing speech at Liverpool Crown Court, Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, said “wholly innocent” Rhys died because Mercer was “willing to take a risk” and fire gunshots across the car park of a busy pub in broad daylight.