Two teenagers have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, a transgender girl. Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, were described by the judge as having carried out an 'exceptionally brutal' killing partly motivated by Brianna's transgender identity. Jenkinson was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years, while Ratcliffe received a minimum of 20 years.
Mrs Justice Yip, sentencing at Manchester Crown Court, said the murder was 'sadistic in nature' and that a secondary motive was hostility towards Brianna because of her transgender identity. She noted that Jenkinson was the 'driving force' behind the murder, motivated by a 'deep desire to kill'. The court heard that Jenkinson had written a new 'kill list' since her detention, including names of some of her carers.
The pair meticulously planned the murder, with Jenkinson handwriting a plan for how, where and when they would stab Brianna. They used a code word 'gay' to signal the start of the attack in Culcheth Linear Park, Warrington, on 11 February last year. Brianna was stabbed 28 times before the pair were disturbed by a couple walking their dogs.
Jenkinson had previously tried to poison Brianna with red ibuprofen tablets, pretending they would get her high. Brianna became ill around that time, with her mother Esther Ghey recalling red blobs in her vomit. In a statement, Esther said she was devastated that her 'lonely' daughter was killed by someone she believed to be a friend.
The Crown Prosecution Service described the case as 'one of the most disturbing' their lawyers had ever dealt with. The judge warned the pair they may never be released if they 'remain a danger'. Both defendants were named for the first time after the judge lifted reporting restrictions.
