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Parents’ plea for help
Rhys Jones
Report and photographs with
thanks to Merseyside Police
THE parents of
11 year old Rhys Jones have made an emotional plea for their son's
killer to hand himself in to the police.
Stephen and Melanie Jones spoke of their horror of seeing their
child lying in hospital as staff made a desperate bid to save Rhys's
life. Sadly, despite their best efforts, he died as a result of a
gunshot wound to his neck. His parents say they have lost their
world and the world has lost a good guy.
The investigation into the murder of Rhys is Merseyside Police’s
number one priority. The motive for his killing remains unclear and
the Force is using every specialist technique resource available to
build up a picture of events leading up to his death.
Forensic investigations and fingertip searches continue at the scene
and police are examining CCTV images.
Merseyside Police have now got additional high visibility patrols
are in the local area with an extra 100 police officers, including
mounted police, Community Support Officers and armed officers.
As well as conducting the murder investigation, officers are handing
out leaflets appealing for information and speaking to the community
about their concerns and reassuring residents that painstaking
efforts are being made to arrest those responsible.
This is a tragic incident and a senseless waste of a young life and
Merseyside Police is determined to see those responsible brought to
justice.
Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan said:- "The
community has been left extremely shocked by the horror of Rhys's
death and I'm sure people will not fail to be touched by the dignity
and bravery his parents have shown. This is a loving family who has
brought up their children to respect others. It is difficult to
imagine the turmoil they are going through now.
We are absolutely resolute in our aim to bring the killer to justice
and to do that as soon as possible. To that end, our appeal is
two-fold. First, to the gunman. Don't wait for us to find you. Do
the right thing and turn yourself in so you can begin to come to
terms with the enormity of what you have done.
Secondly, to the public. I would thank those people who have helped
us so far. If you haven't yet come forward, do so now.
We have a number of ways in which people can contact us, including
by phone, by text and be email. We are appealing to every part of
the community, young and old, to help us solve this senseless crime.
We believe that the offender is a teenager and it may be that there
are young people who have vital information, which may help us. Some
of them may feel more comfortable with texting or e-mailing and we
would encourage people to use whatever means they have to tell us
what they know."
The Description of the gunman/offender is described as a white boy,
aged around 13 to 15 years of age, approximately 5ft 8in tall with a
slim build. He was wearing dark clothing, including a 'hoodie'
top with a peak and white trainers. He was riding what's
described as a black BMX style bike. But Merseyside Police requires
a more detailed description to aid their enquirerys.
Det Supt Dave Kelly,
the senior investigating officer, said:- "We know from our
inquiries there was a woman pushing a pram minutes before Rhys was
killed and we believe she will have passed within close proximity to
the killer.
She is
described as wearing white wide-legged trousers with a dark tunic
style top, almost like a smock.
She had dark
hair, possibly tied back and was pushing a dark coloured pram at
about 1925 BST."
Spectators and
players at Everton's home game held a minute's applause at Goodison
Park where Rhys's favourite team were playing Blackburn Rovers.
Police are anxious to talk to anyone who may have seen someone
matching this description in the area at around 7.30pm that night to
come forward. Where was he prior to the shooting and where did he go
afterwards?
If you know, contact
the police now!
If you are a witnesses and/or anyone with information, who has not
yet come forward, please contact the Merseyside Police Major
Incident Room on 0151 777 8722. Alternatively, you can contact us by
texting the word CRIME followed by your message to 61051 or email
your information to
murder@merseyside.police.uk.
"With out the public's help we can not catch this offender and stop
this from happening again. Next time it could be your child, brother
or sister or friend who gets shot.
We know people
are frightened about coming forward, but we will do every thing in
our powers to help all who contact us and if you prefer, you can
provide information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800
555 111.
Crimestoppersis
an independent registered charity working to stop crime and not part
of Merseyside Police.
Crimestoppers
is only interested in what you know and not who you are.
The 0800 555 111 number ensures that:-
* you will not be asked your name
* your call will not be traced or
recorded
* you do not have to give a
statement
* and you won’t have to go to
court
Crimestoppers is a simple, secure service built on integrity and
trust.
Your
information will allow Crimestoppers to put the police in the
picture, without anyone knowing who provided the information that
could bring those responsible for the murder of Rhys Jones to
justice." |
Pedestrian Hit By Bus
A bus was
travelling up the Promenade towards Funland when the accident
happened at around 1:00pm on Friday 23 August 2007.
A pedestrian, thought to be from
Skelmersdale was hit by a Bus on the Promenade, Southport and was
reported to have been "wedged between the rear wheel arch"
after making contact with the windscreen.
The man was taken to hospital and the
road closed to all traffic as an investigation took place.
CARE Charity's Gold
Medal Display Now At New Pleasureland
GREENNET is a
horticultural social enterprise network based in the North west
region.
Its aim is to support the sustainable
development of horticultural social enterprises who provide training
and employment opportunities to disabled people.
"This is the first year we have
displayed at Southport Flower Show with a stand in the main floral
marquee and we were delighted to have been awarded a Gold Medal for
our achievements.
The five main
members of Greennet are Care, Stanley Grange at Preston, Brothers of
Charity at Chorley, Integrate at Preston, Piccadilly Gardens at
Lancaster and Jigsaw Environmental near Clitheroe.
CARE is a
registered charity providing residential and day services to adults
with a learning disability and this year took the lead role with
designing and planting the stand. It was planted up as a sensory
garden using a large range of perennials, herbs, vegetables and
annuals that have been produced at all five enterprises.
Part of the
display has now been planted up at New Pleasureland, Southport.
I am so happy
that we get not only the Gold, but also the ability to get more
people to see it at the New Pleasureland site." said Jane
Martin, Day Service Manager, CARE Stanley Grange.
For further information visit
www.green-net.org.
Statement
by Rhys Jones parents
Rhys's father Stephen
Jones and his mother Melanie Jones both said:- "Our son was
only 11, our baby. This should not happen, this should not be going
on. Please help us. We have lost our world, the world has lost a
good guy." |
