Married couple Francis and Marie Yates, Janette Mercer, 48, and James Hughes, 22, all of Croxteth, Liverpool, answered charges of perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court.

Yates, 48, and his 50-year-old wife, spoke only to confirm their names.

The four were bailed by Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, to reappear for a plea and case management hearing on October 2 - the day of the main trial.

The court heard that the Yateses, Mercer and Hughes will be tried separately from each other after the trial of seven others who have already been charged.

Rhys, 11, was shot dead in August last year.

He died in his mother's arms on the car park of the Fir Tree pub in Croxteth Park.

His parents, Stephen, 45, and Melanie, 42, attended court to watch the proceedings alongside leading officer Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly.

Mr and Mrs Jones have missed none of the several court dates so far.