Rhys Jones’ killer moved to same tough jail as Yorkshire Ripper and Ian Huntley after being caught with iPhone in cell

THE killer of schoolboy Rhys Jones has been moved back to a tough jail after being caught using an iPhone in his cell.

Sean Mercer, who shot 11-year-old Rhys dead in 2007, is thought to have been using the phone to arrange drug deals from prison.

He has now been returned to Category A Frankland jail, which is home to the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, Levi Bellfield and Soham killer Ian Huntley.

He was previously held at Frankland, but switched to softer Dovegate last year.

That came after Mercer, 29, was linked to a drugs gang which was controlling the spice and marijuana trade inside Frankland.

'IT WILL WIPE SMILE OFF HIS FACE'

A source said: “Mercer was caught with an iPhone in his cell on Wednesday and they took an immediate decision to move him.

“It is the second time he has been found with a phone so he was punished quite severely this time.

“They moved him the next day without warning.

“Frankland is tougher and he will be doing time with some notorious killers and terrorists.

“The move should wipe the smile off his face, as Mercer swanned around Dovegate like he owned the place. There is quite a lax regime there, and it seems they turn a blind eye to drug-taking.”

Category B Dovegate near Uttoxeter, Staffs, is run by private firm Serco and has a 200-bed “therapeutic community” where lags can have group therapy.

In Frankland many cons are let out of cells for only an hour a day and are often locked up from 4.30pm.

Mercer — a then teen gang member in Liverpool — shot Everton fan Rhys as he returned from football practice in August 2007.

He was attempting to target a rival gang. The tragedy was later depicted in the ITV drama Little Boy Blue.