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Rhys killer's mother loses appeal Rhys killer's mother loses appeal
(40 minutes later)
The mother of Rhys Jones's killer has lost an appeal against her three-year jail sentence for lying to detectives investigating the murder.The mother of Rhys Jones's killer has lost an appeal against her three-year jail sentence for lying to detectives investigating the murder.
Janette Mercer, 49, misled police about the bicycle owned by her son, Sean, which he was riding when he shot the 11-year-old in Liverpool.Janette Mercer, 49, misled police about the bicycle owned by her son, Sean, which he was riding when he shot the 11-year-old in Liverpool.
Her bid to challenge the sentence was rejected at the Court of Appeal.Her bid to challenge the sentence was rejected at the Court of Appeal.
Sean Mercer was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years for the murder of Rhys in Croxteth in August 2007.Sean Mercer was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years for the murder of Rhys in Croxteth in August 2007.
Three judges at the Court of Appeal in London ruled that the punishment handed out to Janette Mercer was not excessive.Three judges at the Court of Appeal in London ruled that the punishment handed out to Janette Mercer was not excessive.
She had pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court, and was jailed in April this year.She had pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court, and was jailed in April this year.
Deception intentionalDeception intentional
Rejecting her application for permission to appeal, Mr Justice Blair said that, despite the mitigating factors in her case, "we are firmly of the view that the sentence was not manifestly excessive".Rejecting her application for permission to appeal, Mr Justice Blair said that, despite the mitigating factors in her case, "we are firmly of the view that the sentence was not manifestly excessive".
The crucial aspect of such a crime was that "the deception wholly undermines the due administration of justice and was intended to do so in this particular case", the judge added.The crucial aspect of such a crime was that "the deception wholly undermines the due administration of justice and was intended to do so in this particular case", the judge added.
Mercer's son was a key suspect at the time of her statement and she knew what she was doing, the Appeal Court found.Mercer's son was a key suspect at the time of her statement and she knew what she was doing, the Appeal Court found.
She understood the importance of the silver bike, was aware that her son had told lies about it and then "backed him up with more lies", the judge continued.
Rhys Jones was shot as he crossed a pub car parkRhys Jones was shot as he crossed a pub car park
She understood the importance of the silver bike, was aware that her son had told lies about it and then "backed him up with more lies", the judge continued.
Rhys was shot as he walked home from football practice on the evening of 22 August.Rhys was shot as he walked home from football practice on the evening of 22 August.
CCTV showed the killer on a silver bicycle, but Mercer told detectives her son owned a black and cream mountain bike.CCTV showed the killer on a silver bicycle, but Mercer told detectives her son owned a black and cream mountain bike.
The silver bicycle, bearing traces of Mercer's DNA, was eventually found at an industrial estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.The silver bicycle, bearing traces of Mercer's DNA, was eventually found at an industrial estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.
Rhys's parents, Stephen and Melanie, said the actions of Janette Mercer in prolonging their agony were "unforgiveable".Rhys's parents, Stephen and Melanie, said the actions of Janette Mercer in prolonging their agony were "unforgiveable".
At her trial Judge Henry Globe QC told Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth: "Your son was a key suspect in the murder and you knew he had told a pack of lies.At her trial Judge Henry Globe QC told Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth: "Your son was a key suspect in the murder and you knew he had told a pack of lies.
"You backed him up and you told more lies.""You backed him up and you told more lies."