A judge has declared that Britain's youngest female murderer was probably not acting alone when she stabbed a teenage girl to death more than three decades ago. The revelation comes as the killer, Sharon Carr, has been recommended for a transfer to an open prison, a significant step towards potential release.
A Brutal Attack and Lingering Questions
In June 1992, 12-year-old Sharon Carr carried out a frenzied knife attack on 18-year-old Katie Rackliff, stabbing her more than 30 times. The victim was making her way home from the Ragamuffin nightclub in Camberley, Surrey. Carr, who was a regular at the venue despite her age, came into contact with Katie that evening.
Sentencing judge Mr Justice Scott Baker directly addressed Carr, stating: "The evidence suggests that you were not alone when you stabbed Katie Rackliff to death in June 1992. Who the others were, and any part they played, remains unclear." He added that the murder had a sexual motive, apparent from the mutilation of the body and Carr's own diary entries.
Katie's half-naked body was discovered in Farnborough, five hours after she was last seen and three miles from the nightclub. The violent nature of the attack, which left 27 separate wounds, and the fact the body had been moved, initially led police to suspect a male killer.
Unidentified Suspects and Police Investigation
Detectives have long believed others were involved. At the time, their prime suspect was a man with fashionable dark permed hair seen with Katie. They also wanted to trace the bloodstained driver of a grey Ford Escort XR3 and an individual known only as 'Nick'.
When questioned, Carr gave three different accounts. In two versions, she claimed to be with two boys in a car, alleging they engaged in sexual activity with Katie before dumping her body. The named boys provided alibis and were eliminated from the inquiry.
A key unanswered question has always been how Carr, aged just 12, could have single-handedly moved Katie, who weighed 8st 8lbs. One detective stated after Carr's imprisonment: "There is no way that Sharon had a car — she must have had help."
Parole Decision and Path to Release
Sharon Carr, once branded the "Devil's Daughter", has now been recommended for a move to an open prison following a Parole Board oral hearing. The Board refused her immediate release but suggested the transfer to open conditions.
A Parole Board spokesperson clarified: "This was a recommendation only and the Secretary of State for Justice considers the advice before making the final decision on whether a prisoner is suitable for open conditions." This move is typically seen as a precursor to eventual release on licence.
The case continues to raise profound questions about juvenile crime, sentencing, and the possibility that other individuals involved in the horrific 1992 murder have evaded justice.
