Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey. The judge described the killing as “exceptionally brutal” and partly motivated by hostility towards Brianna’s transgender identity.
Jenkinson was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years, with the judge calling her the “driving force” behind the murder. Ratcliffe received a minimum of 20 years. The pair, who were named for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted, carried out a meticulously planned attack in Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington on 11 February last year.
The court heard that Brianna was stabbed 28 times. Jenkinson had previously tried to poison her with ibuprofen tablets. After her conviction, Jenkinson admitted to a psychiatrist that she found the stabbing “exciting” and had intended to take parts of Brianna’s body as a token. She also wrote a new “kill list” while in detention.
Mrs Justice Yip warned the teenagers that they may never be released if they “remain a danger”. She stated that they chose Brianna because they thought she would be an easy target. The Crown Prosecution Service described the case as “one of the most disturbing” their lawyers had dealt with.
