Rhys appeal: CCTV image released
- 00:00:46
- ITN
Rhys appeal: CCTV image released
The mother of murdered youngster Rhys Jones will make a direct plea later to the family of his killer as a new CCTV image of a suspect is released.Rhys, who would have celebrated his 12th birthday on Thursday, was shot in the neck by a youth on a bicycle as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth on August 22.Melanie Jones, 41, will appeal to the teenage killer's mother on Crimewatch, saying: "She must know it is him, or she must have some suspicion. Even for his own safety, she should hand him in."We can't rest or try to move on without this person being brought to justice or being caught."An image of a hooded youth on a BMX bike, which was taken from outside the Fir Tree public house on the evening of his murder, will be aired on the programme later.Senior Investigating Officer Det Supt Dave Kelly said: "These images may be grainy but we are sure that if this is your son, grandson, brother, friend or neighbour, you will recognise them from this footage."He added: "The moving footage on tonight's show will be particularly revealing, as you will be able to see the cyclist's mannerisms and movement."We are making steady progress with this investigation and are following some strong lines of enquiry. We are also speaking to international experts about further enhancement of the CCTV."The offender and any others involved in this need to know we are determined to prosecute those responsible. We are doing everything possible to build up a strong evidential case, which will put those responsible behind bars."So far, 17 people have been arrested but no one has been charged and police admit they have been met with a wall of silence from the local community, fearful of reprisals.One of the main theories is that Rhys was caught up in a shooting war between rival gangs in east Liverpool.The programme will broadcast a reconstruction of his murder outside the Fir Tree pub exactly five weeks after it took place.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
ITN | September 26, 2007
