Rhys was an enforcer in Harvey Gaskell's drugs gang who was tasked with ensuring that Leanne Battersby wouldn't testify against him in his upcoming trial for dealing in Class A drugs in June 2021. Harvey had already put immense pressure on Leanne, her family and friends and she had spent a period in witness protection hiding but had returned to her flat at 12 Victoria Court making ready to present her evidence. Rhys had watched as her boyfriend Nick Tilsley and his son Sam Blakeman conversed outside and reported back to Harvey in his cell at Highfield Prison who told his henchman to remind Leanne just who she was dealing with.
Rhys made his way back to Victoria Street in his car where he waited with a gun. Harvey's aunt, Sharon Bentley, had previously tried to act on her nephew's behalf without causing any violence and now attempted to avert the same. She rang Leanne to warn her of the danger she was in but had the phone put down on her as Leanne knew full well of her involvement in the gang. Sharon therefore made her way to the street but was almost too late as two shots rang out as Nick and Sam made their way to Roy's Rolls. They were unharmed, with the shots seemingly fired near to them as the requisite warning. Driving away, Rhys spotted Sharon hanging around at the corner and guessing why she was there alerted Harvey to the news that his aunt had almost spoiled matters. In a fury, Harvey ordered Rhys to hand out a beating to Sharon, which he coldly and calmly did just before she tried to flee her flat.