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Longer term for Rhys gun supplier Longer term for Rhys gun supplier
(30 minutes later)
The man who supplied the handgun used to kill Rhys Jones has had his sentence increased to 12 years. A gang member who supplied the handgun used to kill Rhys Jones has had his sentence increased to 12 years.
James Yates, 21, provided the Smith and Wesson used to kill the 11-year-old in Croxteth Park, Liverpool - and helped with its disposal.James Yates, 21, provided the Smith and Wesson used to kill the 11-year-old in Croxteth Park, Liverpool - and helped with its disposal.
He was jailed for seven years, but his sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Vera Baird QC, as being "unduly lenient". He was jailed for seven years, but his sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General as being "unduly lenient".
Yates was described as a "willing assistant" to murderer Sean Mercer, 18. Yates was described as being a "willing assistant" to murderer Sean Mercer.
'Modern pestilence''Modern pestilence'
Yates, of Dodman Road, was found guilty of assisting an offender and possessing a banned firearm and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in January.Yates, of Dodman Road, was found guilty of assisting an offender and possessing a banned firearm and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in January.
At a hearing in London the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, sitting with Mrs Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Henriques agreed the sentence should have been longer. At a hearing in London the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, sitting with Mrs Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Henriques, agreed the sentence should have been longer.
Rhys Jones died after he was shot in a pub car park
Rhys was shot dead in August 2007 in a Liverpool pub car park as he made his way home from football training.Rhys was shot dead in August 2007 in a Liverpool pub car park as he made his way home from football training.
His family were present in the courtroom for the hearing. His family, who had described his original sentence as a "disgrace", were present in the courtroom for the hearing.
Announcing the decision, the Lord Chief Justice stressed that gun crime was a "modern pestilence" and that offenders faced severe, deterrent custodial terms.Announcing the decision, the Lord Chief Justice stressed that gun crime was a "modern pestilence" and that offenders faced severe, deterrent custodial terms.
In September, Yates's fellow gang member Sean Mercer withdrew an appeal against his 22-year minimum jail term.
Mercer was 16 when he shot Rhys outside the Fir Tree pub in August 2007, while aiming for rival gang members.