Rhys Jones' killer pictured for first time since jailed after 'chatting up woman online'

Rhys Jones' killer chatted up a woman he met online using an illicit phone hidden in his prison cell, according to reports.

Sean Mercer who shot 11-year-old Rhys in a Liverpool playground in 2007, is serving a minimum of 22 years in HMP Frankland, County Durham – alongside murderers Ian Huntley, Levi Bellfield and the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe.

Mercer has been pictured for the first time since he was locked up - wearing a Ralph Lauren jumper.

He allegedly told an unnamed woman that he is a model prisoner who deserves early release.

A source claimed he was 'openly using a phone to have a relationship with a woman on the outside' and he is said to have had a 'relationship' with her for eight months.

The source told The Sun: "This kind of behaviour goes to the heart of what Mercer is like.

"On the one hand he’s trying to play the system by claiming he’s a reformed character so he can get out of prison earlier.

"On the other, rather than sticking to the rules, he’s openly using a mobile phone to have a relationship with a woman on the outside."

Mercer allegedly began using the phone to message the woman back in August after liking one of her comments on Instagram.

During their eight month 'relationship,' he claimed he was in prison because he'd 'accidentally hurt someone,' reports claim.

He is also reported to have said he dreams of being a dad when he is released.

Mercer's female companion reportedly visited him three times in prison.

She claims he told her he'd hung out with the wrong people and accidentally hurt someone, and that the killing 'eats him up'.

She said she's tried to cut contact but he's made attempts to get back in touch.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen told the Sun that Mercer's alleged actions show he has no regard for the law.

He said Rhys' parents would find the fact Mercer has allegedly had a romantic relationship 'heartbreaking'.

The latest claims come just weeks after Mirror Online reported Mercer was attempting to get his sentence cut short.

His lawyers were set to argue he should be entitled to a sentence reduction because he was a juvenile, aged 16, when he murdered Rhys nearly 13 years ago.

Under law in England and Wales, juveniles are entitled to a review of their minimum tariff, halfway through their sentence, now applicable to Mercer given he has served 11 years.

But Mercer was convicted and sentenced when he was 18, having become an adult, so his appeal may stand on shaky ground.

Sean Mercer was 16 when he murdered the popular 11-year-old child who had just finished football practice in 2007.

Rhys was an innocent victim amid a crime war between gun-toting rival gangs in Croxteth and Norris Green in Liverpool.

Mercer was jailed in 2008 and ordered to serve at least 22 years, meaning his earliest release date was 2030, at the age of 40.

The Ministry of Justice told Mirror Online they could not comment on individuals.