Teens sentenced to over 40 years for murder of Brianna Ghey
Brianna Ghey's murderers have been sentenced this afternoon after also being named
Two teenagers have been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of transgender teen Brianna Ghey in Warrington. In a rare move by the courts, the pair have also been stripped of their anonymity; reflecting the seriousness of their crime.
16-year-old Scarlett Jenkinson from Warrington will serve a minimum term of 22 years and 16-year-old Eddie Ratcliffe from Leigh will serve a minimum term of 20 years.
Brianna Ghey from Birchwood was 16 when she was stabbed to death 28 times in a ferocious attack in Culcheth Linear Park on Saturday 11th February 2023. She was lured to her death after accepting an invite to hang out with the defendants. Little did she know, the pair had been plotting together to kill her.
Her attackers, who were both 15 at the time, were known as Girl X and Boy Y during the trial at Manchester Crown Court due to their ages. On hearing the unanimous guilty verdicts from the jury, Judge Mrs Justice Yip told the defendants to expect life sentences and vowed to reveal their identities upon passing sentence; a relatively rare occurrence which is limited only to the most serious of offences.
The case
It was a Saturday afternoon in broad daylight when Brianna Ghey was attacked on a path within Culceth Linear park. The 16-year-old caught a bus to meet with the two defendants. CCTV captured the three of them walking together towards Linear Park, and witnesses said they appeared to be chatting and laughing like friends before the defendants put their plan into action - stabbing Brianna 28 times with a hunting knife.
She was left in the park to die and was found by dog walkers as the pair made off from the scene. They'd later try to blame each other for the attack.
A hand written note outlining the murder plan was found on the floor of Girl X's bedroom after she was arrested. It suggested the pair had a code word that would signal when the attack should start.
During the police investigation, data from the defendants phones revealed a fixation with death and torture and how they'd talked about killing other children they knew.
Deputy chief crown prosecutor Ursula Doyle, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said after the guilty verdicts in December 2023: “This has been one of the most distressing cases I have ever dealt with. The planning, the violence and the age of the killers is beyond belief.
"Brianna Ghey was subjected to a frenzied and ferocious attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight, in a public park.
“Girl X and Boy Y appear to have been a deadly influence on each other and turned their dark fantasies about murder into a reality. The extensive messages between the two, planning and plotting to kill people, talking of murder, torture and cruelty, were difficult to read.
“The messages provided a terrifying insight into the minds of the two defendants – but also revealed the detailed planning of their attack and subsequent attempts to cover it up. The case posed a unique set of challenges for prosecutors, not least of the defendants’ young age and their additional vulnerabilities.
“To ensure a fair trial and deliver a sound conviction, the CPS worked with all parties – including the police, courts and defence team – to make sure facilities such as video links, a transcribing service and communications specialists were in place.
“I want to thank Brianna’s family for the courage and dignity that they have shown throughout this case. I hope today’s verdict brings some solace, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”
Lifting of reporting restrictions
It is unusual for young offenders to be stripped of their anonymity. Other notable cases in which this has happened include the killers of toddler James Bulger in 1991 - Robert Thompson and John Venables, as well as Will Cornick who was 15 when he murdered teacher Ann Maguire in Leeds in 2014.
In the case of Brianna Ghey's murder, Judge Mrs Justice Yip commented on the intense media interest that the case had gained both nationally and internationally. She noted that delaying the lifting of restrictions until the defendants turn 18 in 2025 may 'generate a new wave' of publicity then.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court after the guilty verdicts were returned in Brianna's murder trial, her mum Esther Ghey asked for compassion for the defendant's families: "They too have lost a child and they must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done."
Brianna's family have vowed to keep Brianna's name alive by campaigning in her memory for better mental health support for children.
Family reaction - Victim Personal statements
Esther Ghey - Brianna's Mother:
"Brianna was an extremely vulnerable teenager. As Brianna’s mother I was constantly worried that she was putting herself in risky situations. She was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD as a teenager; with these conditions she found it extremely difficult to identify dangerous situations.
"I tried to protect Brianna so much when she was putting herself in harm’s way, and I failed by allowing her to meet Scarlett on that Saturday afternoon.
"No parent should ever have to bury their child. She should have been around for the rest of my life. Brianna had plans for her future which we will never have the chance to support her with.
"She wanted to go to college and study beauty therapy; she was looking forward to being old enough to have a little job like her big sister. We had also discussed her learning to drive, and she had even picked out which pink car she would like for her 18th birthday.
"Our lives have completely changed because of this crime. I tried to go back to work weeks after Brianna’s death but going back to my normal way of life just highlighted that she wasn’t with us.
Alisha Ghey - Brianna's Sister:
"Throughout the last year of Brianna’s life our family had a lot to worry about, she was easily influenced and putting herself into dangerous situations. The worst thing that could possibly happen, our worst anxiety came true.
"The memory of the night I was told we lost her has overpowered many of the happy memories I have of growing up along side Brianna.
"I now feel anxious. I struggle to trust new people that I meet because it was Brianna’s friend who she trusted that took her life. I worry that the same thing might happen to me, my friends or family. I have attended counselling sessions but felt that no one could understand the pain that I am going through, and no one can ever make me feel better.
"The only thing that would make me happy again would be if I could hear Brianna’s voice and laughter, and cuddle up on my bed watching a film together like we used to do. But I will never get my sister back and I must carry that pain for the rest of my life."