Rhys Jones jury shown pictures of revolver

The jury in the murder trial of 11-year-old Rhys Jones was shown pictures yesterday of the gun prosecutors say was used to kill him.

The Smith and Wesson .455 revolver was found hidden in the loft of the Croxteth home of a 17-year-old, who has been given immunity from prosecution in exchange for his evidence.

During the search of the house, police also discovered a converted imitation Walther PPK self-loading pistol as well as ammunition, the Press Association reported.

"I noticed a red and white plastic bag in the far end of the wall and furthest away from the loft hatch," said prosecutor Neil Flewitt, reading a statement from police constable Mark Gibbs, as the jury were shown pictures of the weapon.

"I alerted my colleague as the bag seemed out of place. I pulled the bag back and noticed it contained something. I saw a black revolver and a black semi-automatic pistol.

"Arms teams were requested and the bag was left in situ."

Rhys was hit in the neck by one of three shots fired across a pub car park by 18-year-old Sean Mercer in August last year, prosecutors say.

Alleged gang member Mr Mercer denies murder while James Yates, 20, Melvin Coy and Gary Kays, both 25, two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy all deny assisting an offender.

The trial continues.