Rhys murder: seven deny charges

(Getty)

A 17-year-old today denied the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones, the 11-year-old shot dead in a pub car park in August last year as he walked home from football training.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to murder at Liverpool Crown Court.

The youth accused of murder, who will soon turn 18, wore rosary beads and a grey Nike T-shirt as he sat in the dock with five other accused and five security guards.

One defendant appeared by video link after the hearing was adjourned for an hour because of technical problems.

James Yates, 20, of Dodman Road, Croxteth, Liverpool, denied possessing a gun and assisting an offender by dumping the murder weapon and clothes.

Gary Kays, 25, of Mallard Close, and Melvin Coy, 24, of Abbeyfield Drive, both Croxteth, denied assisting an offender.

Three other teenagers also denied assisting the killer and one denied possessing a .455 Smith and Wesson revolver, ammunition and a firing pistol.