02 February 2024 , 12:05
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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.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told Manchester Crown Court: "She said Eddie had thrown Brianna to the floor and stabbed her three or four times then he panicked and said he did not want to kill her, so she carried on and stabbed her a number of times. When asked how many, she answered, 'A lot'. She was satisfied and excited by what she was doing."
Doorbell footage of Brianna shows her leaving her home on February 11 before she was tragically murdered in the park (Cheshire Police)On the day of Brianna's death, she had agreed to meet with Jenkinson near Culcheth Library. Ring doorbell camera footage shown to jurors in court captured Brianna leaving her home in the Birchwood area of the town at around 12.45pm, wearing a white hoodie, black shirt and knee-high white socks and carrying a bag over one shoulder.
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She could be seen walking down the path to the gate, opening it, and heading out, still texting as she passed out of sight of the camera. Around that time, she messaged her mum, Esther Ghey, to say: "I'm leaving to see Jenkinson, dogs are locked up." That was the final time she left home. Jenkinson had sent her the following instructions to meet: "It's number 28 get on and ask for a child single ticket to Culcheth Library."
In an ominous sign of what was to come, Jenkinson had chillingly told Brianna to buy a single bus ticket, with no return. A statement which was read to the court on behalf of bus driver Kieran Mercer said: "From the moment I saw her, I felt there was something odd about her. I felt as if she was going out of her way not to be seen. She was very timid and quietly spoken. She gave the impression she was just someone who wanted to be left alone." He confirmed she asked for a 'child single to Culcheth'.
Jenkinson had detailed a 'plan to kill' Brianna and instructed her to board the bus and ask for a child's single ticket, then exit to meet her (MEN Media)At 1.41pm, Brianna messaged her mum to say: "I'm on bus by myself. I'm scared." Ms Ghey texted back, "That's well good." She added in court: "I was really proud of her. I don't think she ever saw [the message]." Brianna was said to have last logged onto WhatsApp at 1.47pm. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe then met her at the bus stop before they headed to the park. The court heard that the two teens used a codeword to signal when to start the attack to kill Brianna.
Police had found a 'murder plan' in Jenkinson's bedroom when she was arrested, with a love heart and smiley face doodled on the top corner of the page. It was read out in court by Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC: "Meet Ratcliffe at wooden posts 1pm. Walk down to library ... bus stop. Wait until Brianna gets off bus then the 3 of us walk to linear park. Go to the pipe/tunnel area. I say code word to Ratcliffe. He stabs her in the back as I stab her in the stomach. Ratcliffe drags the body into the area. We both cover up the area with logs etc."
At 3.13pm, a dog walker called 999 after finding Brianna gravely injured. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.02pm. Within 24 hours of Brianna's death, investigating officers identified the pair - prompted by Jenkinson's mum phoning police to tell them her daughter had been in the park with Brianna.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe looked up penalties online for supplying or withholding information on the Crown Prosecution Service website. Jenkinson then posted a tribute to Brianna on Snapchat, describing her as an "amazing friend", and that what happened to her was "so f***ing sickening".
While their friendship appeared strong before they were arrested, the pair seemingly turned against each other afterwards. When cross-examined, the two pals blamed each other for Brianna's death and both said their backs were turned when the other defendant began stabbing Brianna in a "frenzied" fashion. Under arrest, Jenkinson laughed 17 times during her account to police detectives. "I'm good at hiding stuff and playing the victim," she had told Ratcliffe.
During the trial, the jury was informed of both of the defendants' varying degrees of neurodivergence - Jenkinson had 'traits' of autism and ADHD and Ratcliffe had autism spectrum disorder and selective mutism. Following his arrest, he no longer spoke to anyone but his mother. They appeared to have very different reactions in court, with Jenkinsoncrying a little as she described the aftermath of the murder and Ratcliffe showing no emotion.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans, Cheshire Police's head of crime, described the two as 'intelligent' to concoct such a horrifying plan given their tender ages. "I think they're both really intelligent kids," he said. "You look at their backgrounds, they're quite high-functioning. I think that's brought a level of arrogance, or certainly confidence. I don't think they ever imagined we'd uncover those text messages, and I'm not sure they ever thought we'd knock on their doors."
After they were found guilty, Brianna's mum, Esther Ghey, shared a sincere plea about the killers' families. "Prior to the trial I had moments where I felt sorry for the defendants because they had ruined their own lives as well as ours," she said. "But now, knowing the true nature and seeing neither display an ounce of remorse for what they have done to Brianna, I have lost all sympathy that I may have previously had for them. And I am glad that they will spend many years in prison and away from society."
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She added: "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."