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MAKING A MURDERER

What is Sean Mercer’s family background, who is his mother Janette and what prison is he in?

SEAN Mercer is the gang member who gunned down schoolboy Rhys Jones, 11, in 2007.

The killer is banged up in HMP Frankland for a minimum of 22 years.

 Sean Mercer killed Rhys Jones on Merseyside in 2007
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Sean Mercer killed Rhys Jones on Merseyside in 2007Credit: Images International Limited

Who is Sean Mercer? What's his background?

Mercer was a gun-obsessed 16-year-old and a leading member of the Croxteth Young Guns gang when he fatally shot Rhys Jones.

He hit Rhys with a stray bullet from a battered World War One revolver. None of his intended targets was hit.

During his trial, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Mercer’s "Crocky Crew" were involved in a turf war with the Strand Gang, aka the "Nogga Dogz", from the neighbouring Norris Green estate.

There had been more than 20 reports of shots from cars or bikes between 2004 and 2007.

 Mercer is being held at HMP Frankland in County Durham
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Mercer is being held at HMP Frankland in County DurhamCredit: ncjMedia

Two months before he shot Rhys, Mercer had been seen brandishing a gun while riding on the back of a motorcycle in a rival gang’s territory.

And on the day of the fatal shooting, he was under a three-year Asbo for terrorising security guards at a sports centre.

He is now caged in HMP Frankland, which is located in the north of England in County Durham.

What is Sean Mercer’s family background?

There is a history of murder in the family tree of Sean Mercer.

In 1929, the great-great-grandfather of Sean Mercer slit his wife’s throat.

The man had accused his wife of having an affair and was hanged for his crime two months later, the reported.

Sean’s father was also involved in a high-profile shooting.

A Sun investigation revealed Sean Mercer’s mum was working as a prostitute during her son Sean’s trial, selling sex on at least two occasions.

Janette worked at a brothel called Elegant Ladies in November 2008 where she offered sex to a reporter for £50 “all in”.

She was one of several other people jailed after her son’s trial after being found guilty of helping him.

 Mercer's mum Janette was revealed to have been working as a prostitute during his trial
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Mercer's mum Janette was revealed to have been working as a prostitute during his trialCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvin Media

Who is Sean Mercer's mum?

Janette Mercer is the mother of the teen gang member who murdered Rhys as he walked home in Liverpool.

A Sun investigation revealed she worked as a prostitute during her son Sean’s trial, selling sex on at least two occasions.

Janette worked at a brothel called Elegant Ladies in November 2008 where she offered sex to a reporter for £50 “all in”.

She was one of several other people jailed after her son’s trial after being found guilty of helping him.

Rhys Jones murder trial: Sean Mercer found guilty of 11-year-old's killing
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