Boy accused of stabbing teen to death 'didn't agree with trans and gay people'

13 December 2023 , 09:04

754     0

Brianna was stabbed 28 times at Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire (Image: MEN Media)

One of the teenagers accused of murdering transgender teenager Brianna Ghey "didn't agree" with trans and gay people, his co-accused told a trial.

The girl charged with the stabbing told a court on Tuesday her co-defendant "had a problem" with Brianna's gender identity. The 16-year-old victim was stabbed to death at Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, on February 11 this year.

Girl X and Boy Y, whose real names can not be given due to them both being 16, are currently on trial at Manchester crown court charged with the murder. Giving evidence, Girl X on Tuesday told prosecutor Deanna Heer KC during her cross-examination that she and Boy Y both had a fantasy of "torturing and killing someone together".

The girl said she found "the overall thing quite interesting", but denied that she had killed Brianna. During Tuesday's cross-examination, Ms Heer also asked: "You were good friends with Brianna all the way up until she died. You told us you knew she was transgender, and you didn’t have a problem with that.

Brianna Ghey was found dead in the park in Warrington earlier this year (Liverpool Echo)

"You told us Boy Y did have a problem. What was his problem?"

Teen 'kept as slave, starved and beaten' sues adoptive parents and authorities

Girl X told the court: "I'm not sure exactly what his problem was. I just know he didn't agree with people who were trans and a lot of people who were gay as well."

Evidence was also heard that Boy Y has previously referred to Brianna as "it" in response to pictures of her sent by Girl X, Liverpool ECHO reports. Ms Heer said: "By referring to Brianna as it, it was obvious that he didn't like her. It was obvious that you were right, he didn't like her, so why did you send these pictures to Boy Y?"

Girl X said: "I wanted to show him what she looks like." She also said she had found Brianna "really interesting" and "quite attractive", which was why she sent the pictures to Boy Y. While saying she did have fantasies about killing Brianna, Girl X said this wasn't because she was transgender.

Ms Heer asked if she thought Brianna "was prettier than you?" to which she replied, "in a way, yes". It was also heard from the barrister that Brianna was bullied at school because of her gender identity, which Girl X said she was aware of. She agreed Brianna "was quite a vulnerable person".

Both defendants deny the charge of murder, blaming each other. Girl X said that, because Boy Y didn't like transgender people, this was "possibly" why he "enjoyed the idea of killing her". The trial, before Mrs Justice Yip, continues. It is expected to last three to four weeks in total.

The trial continues.

Adam Everett