CPS authorises Merseyside Police to charge five in connection with murder of Rhys Jones
16 April 2008, 8pm
Merseyside Crown Prosecution Service and Merseyside Police today announced charges including murder and assisting an offender in relation to the death of Rhys Jones.
The charges are as follows:
- 17-year-old male charged with murder of Rhys Jones
- Two men charged with assisting an offender (Melvyn Coy, 24, and Gary Kayes, 25)
- Two youths both aged 16 have been charged with assisting an offender (one of these has also been charged with possession of a firearm)
- We are considering a charging decision in connection with another 17-year-old youth
- Three adults (50, 49, 54) and one youth (16) have been released on bail for further consideration, in addition to the 22-year-old male who was bailed last night (April 15)
- One male aged 20 remains in custody and is being questioned by police (arrested today April 16, 2008)
- One woman (21) released without charge.
Helen Morris, Crown Prosecutor, said: "Working with the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Merseyside, Paul Whittaker, I was briefed on this case at a very early stage and have been working closely with the Merseyside Police since August last year when Rhys Jones was shot.
"As this case has developed we have been carefully examining and assessing the evidence in order to come to a charging decision at the earliest possible opportunity.
"Having carefully considered all of the material supplied by Merseyside Police, I made the decision that there was sufficient evidence and I have authorised that five people should be charged.
"At this time I would like to remind you of the need to take care in reporting the events surrounding this case. All those charged in this case have the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be responsible media reporting which should not prejudice the due process of law."
Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, said: "We have got to this stage in the inquiry through painstaking, determined investigations. It has been a complex inquiry which has been supported throughout by Rhys' parents Stephen and Melanie and the wider Merseyside community.
I'd like to take the opportunity to recognise the hard work of Merseyside's police officers, in particular the SIO Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly, and Merseyside Crown Prosecution Service, in bringing the investigation to this stage.
Police officers and staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes since day one. It's now a matter for the courts, and we will await the outcome of future trials."
Senior Investigating Officer for Merseyside Police Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly added: "As Helen Morris has just outlined, we have brought significant charges today.
"As Assistant Chief Constable Gallan has said, it has been a complicated inquiry, which is reflected in the number of charges today.
I would personally like to thank Stephen and Melanie Jones for their patience and support. They have shown courage, strength and dignity during what must be a truly terrible time for them."
Notes to Editors
- CPS: Local media inquiries to CPS Merseyside on 0151 239 6465, National media inquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8180.
Merseyside Police: Local media inquiries to 0151 777 8566. - The Crown Prosecution Service is the Government Department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. It is responsible for:
- Advising the police and reviewing the evidence on cases for possible prosecution;
- Deciding the charge where the decision is to prosecute;
- Preparing cases for court;
- Presentation of cases at court;
The CPS consists of 42 Areas in total, each headed by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP). A telephone service, CPS Direct, provides out-of-hours advice and decisions to police officers across England and Wales. The CPS employs around 8,400 people and prosecuted 1,091,250 cases with an overall conviction rate of 83.7% in 2006-2007. Further information can be found on this website.