Liverpool england.18 year old gets 22 years for shooting 11 year old dead in gangwar
A TEENAGE gang member was today caged for life for the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones.
Sean Mercer, 18, was convicted unanimously by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years by High Court Judge Mr Justice Irwin today.
Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, shot 11-year-old Rhys dead on Wednesday August 22, 2007.
Rhys had just finished playing foo
More..tball with his team and was walking home across the car park of Croxteth Park's Fir Tree pub when he was hit by a bullet meant for gang members from Norris Green.
During the 11 week trial, the jury heard how Mercer was a member of the rival Croxteth Crew.
Neil Flewitt QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mercer had a "determination to kill" when he arrived on his bike at the pub car park. He said this was obvious by the fact the killer fired again even after seeing Rhys fall and that he tracked his intended targets as they rode quickly away, bringing Rhys into the line of fire.
Victim impact statements from both Melanie and Stephen Jones, Rhys's parents, were not read out in court but the ECHO understands their words have moved many of those who have seen them, including several senior detectives, to tears.
Richard Pratt QC, defending Mercer, said his client's "maintained denial" of the offence meant there was not a lot he could put forward in mitigation other than Mercer's age, saying he and the others were "terribly, terribly immature".
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 Justice Irwin told Mercer: "Rhys Jones died at your hands. It was a waste of a promising young life.
"His parents dignity throughout this process has been deeply impressive to all those who have seen them.
"But it is clear their composure conceals searing emotions.
"The tariff I set is not the years you will serve. It is the years you must serve before you can even be considered for release.
"This offence arose from the stupid brutal gang conflict which has struck this part of Liverpool. It is clear you gloried in it. You are not soldiers, you have no discipline, training or honour.
"You cannot tell the difference between respect and fear.
"You are stupid shallow criminals.
"You fired at your intended victims from 70 yards across a pub car park. You aimed shots with murderous intent, as the jury has found.
"Rhys died because of your brutality and because you are a coward.
"You proved a coward again. You did not admit what you had done."
The judge said he was "entirely satisfied" Mercer was looking to kill the rivals from Norris Green and then set about a "systematic attempt" to destroy evidence and conceal his part.
The gang element to the case was also important, the judge said, and the sentence must have a deterrent effect to others involved in the gang scene.
He said other than Mercer's age, there are no mitigating features for him.
"You will not emerge from prison at the very earliest, for a very long time."
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Added: Dec 19 2008 In: news_politics
Recorded on: Dec 19 2008
By: mannydave 
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