Mother of Rhys's killer jailed for lying to police

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 22:10

THE mother of Rhys Jones's killer, Sean Mercer, was jailed for three years yesterday for lying to detectives investigating the schoolboy's murder.

Janette Mercer, 49, supported her gang-member son when he told police he owned a black-and-cream mountain bike, not the silver one caught on CCTV being used by the gunman.

She had admitted perverting the course of justice in February, and Rhys's parents, Stephen and Melanie Jones, were in court yesterday to hear Judge Henry Globe, QC, tell her: "Your son was a key suspect in the murder and you knew he had told a pack of lies. You told more lies."

Also sentenced yesterday were Francis and Marie Yates, the parents of James Yates, who was convicted of possession of a gun and assisting Sean Mercer.

Marie Yates, 51, hindered the murder investigation by destroying a mobile phone Sim card belonging to James which could have provided police with crucial evidence.

Francis Yates, 49, who was with his wife when the Sim was set on fire, also suggested a false alibi to help Mercer to cover his tracks.

The couple pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice just as their trial was due to begin yesterday.

Both were sentenced to 18 months in jail for destroying the Sim card, and Francis Yates was given three years for helping to establish the alibi.