Teenage killers of Brianna Ghey will be detained for 42 years combined

Killers unphased as judge decided their fate today

As a judge decided their fate earlier today, the two teenagers who brutally murdered Brianna Ghey appeared unperturbed.

Ratcliffe, as he had throughout the trial, arrived in the dock in the morning clutching his puzzle book. Throughout the hearing his head was bowed, apparently not in shame, but simply gazing down at the brain-teasers. Jenkinson, small and slight, at times played with a small soft toy.

And in the afternoon she began drawing what appeared to be a face on a notepad as she waited for Mrs Justice Yip to announce their sentences.

Wearing a grey wrap dress with a black cardigan, her long dark hair tied back in a pony tail, Jenkinson sat at the opposite side of the dock from Ratcliffe, who wore a black shirt, black trousers and a grey tie, his long black hair flowing over his shoulders. They were separated by three security guards and each had an intermediary beside them.

Brianna’s parents, Esther Ghey and Peter Spooner, were surrounded by family and friends on opposite sides of the hushed court room. As the parents’ victim impact statements were read, quiet sobbing could be heard from the public gallery. Mr Spooner quietly nodded his head when Jenkinson was told she would serve a minimum of 22 years.

Husband and wife enjoy Xmas dinner days before she's charged with his murder

But there was no sound apart from the calm voice of the judge as she continued, handing Ratcliffe a 20 year minimum term. And despite being told they may never be released, neither Jenkinson or Ratcliffe appeared to show a flicker of emotion as they were led away.

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Family showed 'immense courage and dignity', police say

Cheshire Constabulary, the force responsible for the investigation, have issued a statement in support of Brianna Ghey's family.

DI Nige Parr told Sky: "This has been a challenging and complex investigation from the very beginning and while I am pleased that the two responsible for Brianna's brutal and senseless murder have been handed significant sentences, there is no escaping the tragedy in this case.

"Thankfully, Brianna's family will finally see those responsible for her murder being punished for their part in this shocking crime."

On the other hand, the killers have "shown absolutely no remorse for the pain they have caused". They also "selfishly" forced the grieving family to endure a trial.

"I would like to express my sincere condolences to Brianna's family," DI Parr said.

"They have shown an immense amount of courage and dignity throughout the investigation and the trial, and this has been an incredibly difficult experience for them. I hope that they can now in some way start to rebuild their lives after going through so much pain and grief."

Fundraiser for Brianna continues to attract donations as her killers sentenced

A GoFundMe page that was set up in memory of Brianna Ghey continues to attract donations as the two teens that killed her were sentenced today.

The fundraiser will be donating money for the Mindfulness in Schools Project, a cause championed by Brianna's mother, Esther Ghey.

She previously said: "[I have] decided to help make a difference to our society to reduce the risk of this happening again to another young person".

According to the page, mindfulness techniques in school will "allow children to process and deal with negative emotions in a healthy way - preventing mental health problems from developing in later life".

'No one should be killed for being who they are', says charity

The Young Minds charity has spoken out after the sentencing of Brianna Ghey's killers, saying her death is a "stark reminder of the abuse and hostility trans young people can face in our society".

"No one should be discriminated against, hurt or killed for being who they are," it wrote in a statement on X.

The CPS said it categorised the killing of Brianna a hate crime that was motivated by "hostility" towards her because she was transgender.

All the harrowing footage of Brianna's Ghey killers - from after the murder to their arrest

Chilling CCTV footage captured Brianna Ghey ’s final hours and includes her bus journey to meet her killers, the moments after her death - and the later arrest of her killers.

Brianna was 16 when she was murdered by two teenagers in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire. Today, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both now 16, were sentenced to life and given minimum terms of 22 and 20 years before parole. In new footage released today by police, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe lured the doomed teenager to Linear Park in Culcheth in February last year where she was stabbed 28 times in a frenzied attack and died of her awful wounds.

Ring Doorbell footage released by Cheshire Police shows Brianna, wearing a white hoodie, black skirt and knee-length socks, as she left home for the last time. She is seen walking down the path to the gate, opening it, and heading out, still texting as she passes out of sight of the camera. She had messaged her mum, Esther Ghey, to say: "I'm leaving to see Scarlett, dogs are locked up."

You can watch the footage, HERE.

'Disconnected' Eddie Ratcliffe's five body-language signals that gave away his guilt

Brianna Ghey's killer Eddie Ratcliffe showed five crucial signs which gave away his guilt during a police interview, according to a body language expert.

Ratcliffe, 16, was convicted of murder alongside Scarlett Jenkinson, also 16, after the transgender student was stabbed 28 times in a twisted attack in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington last year. It was earlier revealed that Jenkinson made a series of verbal admissions after being seen by a psychiatrist following their conviction. However, Ratcliffe displayed many subtle indicators that he was at fault with his physical expressions such as the way his eyes gazed and his mouth expression.

In a photo released of Ratcliffe, he could be seen sat with his head slightly tilted whilst he was positioned in a "self-diminishing" pose. And expert Judi James says his posture was a huge sign of the heinous crime he had carried out. Analysing the image, she said the teenager looked detached as she revealed the other major clues as the position of his shoulders, the dropping of his chin and his hands.

You can read the rest of our story, HERE

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Sketches of the killers in court

This sketch is of the two killers while they were in court today waiting to be sentenced.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, appearing at Manchester Crown Court today (PA)

Inside Brianna Ghey murderers' lives – how ordinary teens became cold-blooded killers

To the outside world Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe appeared to be two ordinary 15-year-olds.

But behind closed doors the “warped” pair secretly planned and then carried out the savage and sadistic killing of Brianna Ghey. They were convicted of her murder in December but named publicly for the first time today as the judge sentenced them to life and lifted a reporting restriction which had kept their identities under wraps.

Now those who knew them are struggling to comprehend how two fresh-faced school children could commit such a barbaric act. Brianna, 16, was knifed 28 times in a frenzied attack after being lured by her killers to a park in Culcheth, near Warrington, last February.

She was stabbed in the head, neck, back and chest in broad daylight. The murder weapon, a hunting knife with a five inch blade, had been bought for Ratcliffe by his parents during a skiing holiday a few weeks earlier.

Read more here

Esther Ghey smiling as she leaves court

Brianna Ghey's mum was seen smiling as she left court this afternoon. It comes after she learned her daughter's killers were sentenced to a combined 42 years.

Neither killer made any reaction when they learned of their fate.

Esther Ghey, centre, and the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey leaves Manchester Crown Court (Getty Images)

Brianna's family's "unimaginable loss" after daughter's life stolen

After sentencing each killer to more than 20 years in jail, today's presiding judge, Mrs Justice Yip, spoke of the irreparable damage the pair has done to Brianna Ghey's crushed family.

In her sentencing remarks, the veteran judge said: "Brianna was only 16 years’ old when she was killed. She had her whole life ahead of her. Brianna had some struggles that made her vulnerable but she was supported by a loving family who wanted nothing but the best for her.

"Sadly, no one will ever know what she would have achieved in her life. Even though her life was so short, she made an impact. Her family remember her for her laughter, for being full of life and as a good listener. Their loss is unimaginable but they have bravely and movingly painted a picture of Brianna in the statements read today. They have my deepest sympathy."

Brianna Ghey's mother Esther Ghey is pictured outside court (PA)

Brianna Ghey killers' warped jail life - 'elation, kudos and king of the castle'

A criminal psychologist and former police officer has shed some light on what life will be like behind bars for Brianna Ghey's killers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe.

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, both 16, have been jailed for life and given minimum terms of 22 and 20 years before parole.

Jenkinson, currently held in Adel Beck secure children’s home in Leeds, was given a minimum term of 22 years before parole by trial judge Mrs Justice Yip.

Ratcliffe, currently at Barton Moss secure children’s home in Salford, was given a minimum of 20 years before parole. The pair lured the transgender teen to Culcheth Linear Park, Warrington, where they subjected her to a horrific knife attack. Brianna, who was just 16, tragically died at the scene. Now crime expert Darren Stanton has shared his thoughts on what life will be like in prison for the two teenagers, who he believes will still be 'buzzing from the murder'.

You can read the rest of our story, HERE

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Brianna Ghey teen killers' blindsided parents - court breakdown and concerned mum who called police

The two teenagers who murdered Brianna Ghey had devoted parents who were left devastated by their actions, weeping openly in court as the guilty verdicts were read out.

Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court after the trial, Brianna's mother Esther Ghey selflessly urged people to have 'empathy and compassion' for the families of the 16-year-olds, now known as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. After thanking members of the jury for making society a 'safer place', Esther said: "Please have some empathy and compassion for the families of the young people convicted of this horrific crime. They too have lost a child and must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done."

Previously known as Child X and Boy Y, the callous killers were in December found guilty of the murder of 16-year-old Brianna, who died following a 'sustained and violent' attack in Culcheth Linear Park, in Warrington last February.

You can read the rest of our story, HERE

Why was Brianna Ghey murdered? Inside sadistic killers Jenkinson and Ratcliffe's deadly obsession

Tragically, Brianna Ghey was 'the chosen one' from killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe's sinister 'hit list'.

The 16-year-old senseless killers, who met at school aged 11, lured the transgender teen, also 16, to a park in Warrington on February 11, 2023, before brutally stabbing her to death 28 times. When Brianna's bleeding body was discovered by dog walkers, the two murderers acted none the wiser.

Calculated Jenkinson sent rehearsed text messages to her accomplice, pretending to be surprised at the news of a dead body being found, while she chillingly messaged Brianna in a bid to plant a seed that a man from Manchester could have been responsible. She said: "Girl, is everything okay? Some teenage girl got killed in Linear Park its on news everywhere. And why did you ditch us for some random man from Manchester. Like wtf."

Jenkinson, from Warrington, and Ratcliffe, from Leigh, both 15 at the time of the murder, were known as bright students from good homes. His mother is a skiing instructor and his father runs businesses, while Jenkinson is the daughter of high school teachers.

You can read the rest of our story, HERE

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Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe are sentenced

Both defendants receive sentences of detention at His Majesty's Pleasure, the equivalent of a life sentence for a child.

Mrs Justice Yip gives Jenkinson a minimum term of 22 years

Mrs Justice Yip gives Ratcliffe a minimum term of 20 years.

For the full story, visit this link.

Jenkinson's primary motive was her 'deep desire to kill'

"I'm satisfied that your diagnosis does not explain the way you referred to Brianna," the judge tells Ratcliffe.

She says Jenkinson's primary motive was her 'deep desire to kill'.

"Brianna's murder was exceptionally brutal. Your actions after the event and what you have told the psychiatrist confirm you enjoyed the killing," she says, addressing Jenkinson.

She tells the pair: "This was a murder involving sadistic conduct.

"You both took part in a brutal and planned murder which was sadistic in nature, and where a secondary motive was hostility towards Brianna because of her transgender identity.

"This was a murder of particularly high seriousness.

"You picked Brianna because you both thought she would be an easy target. She thought you [Jenkinson] were her friend."

Mrs Justice Yip is pictured during sentenced

Mrs Justice Yip says Brianna was killed with 'exceptional brutality'

The judge tells Jenkinson: "Your motivation Scarlett was to act out our fantasies.

"The messages show you wanted to make a real victim feel pain and fear."

She says Brianna was killed with 'exceptional brutality'.

The judge says as Jenkinson's fantasies turned into reality he provided 'support and encouragement'.

Addressing Ratcliffe she said: "It would in my judgement be wholly wrong to treat you as being under Scarlett's control.

"On the other hand I acknowledge that you were not the driving force behind the plan to kill Brianna, Scarlett was."

She tells Ratcliffe: "In your messages about Brianna you undoubtedly directed hostility towards her based on her transgender identity."

The judge says Ratcliffe's explanation was that he may have picked up the 'dehumanising' language from other people.

But the judge told him: "I'm satisfied you are quite capable of holding your own views.

'Scarlett, you make up stories,' judge Mrs Justice Yip says

The judge says of Jenkinson: "Scarlett you make up stories. You blur the lines between fantasy and real life."

She says Jenkinson's 'untested' claims made after the trial about the circumstances of the killing will not feature in her findings.

The judge said it is 'impossible to believe any account Scarlett gives'.

"I'm certain that at least some of the wounds were inflicted by you Eddie," she says.

She said she can't be sure 'who did what'.

"That does not matter for today's purposes," she says.

But the judge said both 'played a full part'.

"Both intended she should die."

Judge enters the court

Mrs Justice Yip is now in court and has begun sentencing Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe for the murder of Brianna Ghey.

Rishi Sunak's thoughts are with Brianna Ghey's family

Downing Street said Rishi Sunak's thoughts are with the family of Brianna Ghey.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "First and foremost, the Prime Minister's thoughts are with Brianna's family, friends and loved ones.

"Obviously the hurt that they feel is unimaginable and the Prime Minister shares in the country's horror at this despicable and cowardly murder."

The spokesman praised the "courage and dignity" of the teenager's mother.

Asked about the decision to name her killers, he said: "It's obviously an independent judicial decision. As the judge has said herself, this is clearly a shocking and exceptional case."

Brianna Ghey's killers' sentencing: Main points from the morning of today's hearing

The 16-year-old convicted killers of a transgender teenager in Warrington, Cheshire, nearly a year ago were named in court today.

• The judge in the case lifted a ban on reporting the identities of Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who murdered Brianna
• The first pictures of the defendants were issued - a pair of custodial images released by Cheshire Police - and other photos the duo have shared on social media
• Jenkinson, from Warrington, admitted for the first time to stabbing Brianna herself.
• In a statement to the court, Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, said being the father of a transgender child — Brianna was previously known as Brett — had been “a difficult thing to deal with” but that he had been “proud to gain another beautiful daughter"

• Footage shows the moment Brianna Ghey met up with her teenage killers moments before she was stabbed to death, while released images of notebooks show how the murder was planned

• Further footage shows the moments Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were arrested - and Jenkinson was filmed uttering: "how come I am a suspect"

• Richard Littler KC, defending Ratcliffe, denied the murder was motivated by transphobia. The judge has said she considers that the defendants may have had "different motives".

Brianna was stabbed to death in a park on February 11, 2023 (MEN Media)

Court breaks for lunch

The case has been adjourned until 2.15pm.

Plans to 'get rid' of Brianna's body

Richard Littler KC, defending Eddie Ratcliffe, said Scarlett Jenkinson had revealed more details of the planning to a psychiatrist after her conviction.

He told the court she had said: “I was meant to get rid of the body. I was going to drag her into the pipe. Before I even got a chance to drag the body someone was coming up the path. I was going to put her in the pipe. I saw it before, it’s big enough to fit a person in.”

He said the case was not simply a joint enterprise murder and added: “We submit Eddie’s sentence should be significantly less than that of his co-defendant.”

Chilling CCTV shows moment teen murderers lure transgender schoolgirl Brianna Ghey to her death

Further CCTV released by police today shows the moment the teenage murderers lured Brianna Ghey to her death.

Still images taken from the clip show the trio near a bus stop in Warrington.

A screengrab shows Scarlett Jenkinson, marked as X, with Brianna Ghey, marked as BG, and Eddie Ratcliffe, marked as Y, at a bus stop (PA)

Reason Brianna Ghey killers have been named - and when it's happened before

The two twisted teenagers who murdered 16-year-old Brianna Ghey have now been named as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe

Formerly known as Girl X and Boy Y to protect their identities during the trial, the pair were named at their sentencing today, where they are set to be handed life sentences. The young transgender girl was lured to her death and brutally stabbed 28 times in a Warrington park on February 11, 2023.

During the 18-day trial at Manchester Crown Court in December, the jury heard of the senseless duo's fascination with violence and how they had been planning to stage a killing frenzy for weeks. Ill-fated Brianna was just one unlucky name on their 'hit list', as the sinister pair plotted who to murder over chilling WhatsApp messages.

See the full story here.

Brianna's killers' twisted relationship - wicked bond, sick passions, betrayal

Brianna Ghey was murdered by two teenagers, who appeared to be ordinary schoolchildren but behind closed doors shared a deep and dark 'senseless' desire to kill.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, lured Brianna to her death and brutally stabbed her 28 times in a park in Warrington, Cheshire, on February 11, 2023. The pair, previously referred to as Girl X and Boy Y due to legal reasons, have been named today as the killers of 16-year-old Brianna after Mrs Justice Yip lifted a ban on reporting their identities.

During the 18-day trial at Manchester Crown Court in December, the jury heard of the twisted duo's fascination with violence and how they had been planning to stage a killing frenzy for weeks. While they tried to mask their obsessive and disturbing natures, their "thirst for killing" was evident in their text exchanges and cross-examinations.

For the full story, visit this link.

Brianna Ghey killers' twisted descent from schoolkids to 'satanist and hitman'

Twisted killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe had bright futures ahead of them, just like Brianna Ghey

The teens, previously referred to as Girl X and Boy Y who have now been named at their sentencing, had appeared to be regular schoolkids, but behind closed doors, they shared a deep twisted fantasy that became a horrifying reality. The warped pair lured 16-year-old Brianna Ghey to a local park before stabbing her 28 times in a frenzied attack.

Brianna's murder took place in broad daylight on February 11 last year in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire. But the two, 15 at the time, had planned their kill much earlier and had spent months plotting to live out their "thirst for killing" together over WhatsApp.

See the full story here.

Brianna was described as 'absolutely fearless' by her loved ones (MEN Media)

Teen killer Scarlett Jenkinson's ominous instruction to Brianna Ghey on bus that 'exposed evil plans'

Brianna Ghey was lured to her death by twisted schoolchildren, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who harrowingly told her exactly how and when to travel to their murderous meeting place - with no return.

The 16-year-old student was tragically stabbed 28 times in broad daylight on February 11, 2023, by two teenagers who have been named and pictured today as the killers. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, previously referred to as Girl X and Boy Y due to legal reasons, were found guilty of murdering the young girl in December last year after a lengthy trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The jury heard how the evil pair had formed a 'murder plan' together - handwritten by Jenkinson and weapons suggested by Ratcliffe - and executed it in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, by attacking their victim Brianna in the head, neck and body. Today, it was reported Jenkinson admitted for the first time stabbing Brianna herself.

For the full story, click this link.

Brianna's middle-class killers were top pupils from good homes with lust to kill

They appeared to be regular schoolchildren but behind closed doors, they shared a twisted desire to kill.

Brianna Ghey's senseless murderers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who were previously referred to as Girl X and Boy Y during the trial, lured the 16-year-old to a local park before stabbing her 28 times in a frenzied attack. After being found guilty in December, the 16-year-olds, who were 15 at the time of the killing, will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

While the evil pair seemed to be regular kids in plain sight, they both developed a fascination with torture and had meticulously planned to live out their "thirst for killing" together. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe brutally murdered Brianna in broad daylight on February 11 last year in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire.

See the full story here.

Scarlett Jenkinson is pictured during her police interview (PA)

Brianna Ghey's grieving family slam 'predator' killers who 'left teen bleeding to death'

Brianna Ghey's grieving family told a court they "have moments where they feel sorry" for teenager murderers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who stabbed their trans daughter to death.

But, speaking at Manchester Crown Court today (Friday, February 2) ahead of the pair's sentencing for murder, Brianna’s mother Esther said she believed Jenkinson and Ratcliffe continued to be a danger to society. She said: “I don’t believe that someone who is so disturbed and obsessed with murder and torture would ever be able to be rehabilitated.

For the full story, click this link.

Brianna Ghey's mother Esther Ghey is pictured outside court (PA)

Sister Alisha Ghey's statement in full

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 will never forget the night I opened the door to the two shook up police when I was alone in my house. Brianna was always at home and I didn’t know she had left that day. When they asked me if there is anybody else in the house I said she’s in her room, when I checked and she wasn’t there my heart ached. I feel this every time I come home to Brianna not being there. After a while this became unbearable, I find being in my own home uncomfortable and lonely.

The week of finding out she had been taken from us the house was silent. Our life had changed completely. I couldn’t sleep and all that I could think of is the missing presence of my sister. I can’t remember life without her, I haven’t been away from her for this long since before she was born. The loss of a younger sibling to something so horrific is indescribably painful, like a part of me is missing, I learnt to do everything with her and I feel that now she is gone I can’t keep growing as I did when I was with her.

The anger and frustration of this as time went on and grew, the speculations going around further grew my anxieties of what trauma my sister was put through. I’d spend a lot of time away from home to get away from this sadness and anger and when I’d come back so would these dark feelings. I never felt alone with Brianna in the house. I would tell her everything and she would listen, not having that makes me feel more alone than ever.

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.