Teen remanded on Rhys Jones murder charge

LONDON (Reuters) - A 17-year-old youth was remanded in custody on Thursday, charged with the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones.

The 11-year-old was shot in the neck in the Croxteth area of the city last August after returning from football practice.

The 17-year-old appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court and will return to court on April 25, the BBC reported.

Police have also charged three youths, aged 15, 16 and 17, and two men, Melvyn Coy, 24 and Gary Kayes, 25, with assisting an offender.

The 16-year-old was also charged with possession of a firearm.

All those charged were detained after a series of dawn raids involving more than 100 officers in Croxteth.

None of the youths can be named for legal reasons.

Three people aged 49, 50 and 54 as well as a 16-year-old have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 20-year-old man remains in custody and is being questioned by detectives. A 21-year-old woman was released without charge.

(Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Steve Addison)