The killers of Brianna Ghey were given life sentences today after murdering the 16-year-old in February 2023.
Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe murdered the teenager in an act the judge described as “brutal, planned and sadisitc”- the pair had been planning the “violent assault” for weeks.
Jenkinson, described by Mrs Justice Yip as having a “deep desire to kill”, was given 22 years. Ratcliffe, partly motivated by transphobia, was given 20.
Brianna suffered 28 stab wounds and was likely conscious during the attack, according to the judge.
“The injuries point to a very sustained and violent assault”
Jenkinson and Ratcliffe- both 15 at the time, now 16- had attempted to blame each other for the murder.
Brianna was attacked in daytime with a hunting knife in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, suffering stab wounds to her head, chest, and neck.
Both teenagers went home and fiegned ignorance to the attack- Jenkinson later posted an online tribute to Brianna, in memoriam.
Detectives later found a knife in Ratcliffe’s bedroom. His DNA was on the weapon, as well as Brianna’s blood.
The trial lasted 18 days and stressed the premediated manner of the attack, and the pair’s fascination with torture and violence.
The judge acknowledged that Jenkinson was the brains behind the attack, but that this did not absolve Ratcliffe of blame, saying the transphobic messages from Ratcliffe displayed definite “hostility” towards Brianna.
Police initally believed the attack was not related to transphobic hate.
The two exchanged several messages fantasising about how they would kill Brianna, who Jenkinson had befriended to get close to.
In a statement, Brianna’s mother, Esther Gray said the pair would “always pose a danger to society.”
She added the “hardest thing” was finding out that Jenkinson was someone she believed to be her daughter’s friend.
More shared messages show repeated fantasies about murdering Brianna, encouraging one another to think about the act of murdering.
A hand-written note was also found on Jenkinson’s floor after her arrest, detailing a “murder plan” for Brianna.
Further written fantasises included other potential victims, and writings on Jeffrey Dahmer.
Mrs Justice Yip siad the pair would only be released if the parole board decided the two no longer posed a danger to society.
Feature image credit: Cheshire Police
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