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Brianna Ghey news - live: Scarlett Jenkinson’s family breaks silence as teen jailed with Eddie Ratcliffe

Two teenagers jailed for life for transphobic and sadistic killing of 16-year-old

Tara Cobham,Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Sunday 04 February 2024 01:50 GMT
Brianna Ghey's killers sentenced to 22 and 20 years in prison for teen's murder

The family of teenager killer Scarlett Jenkinson has broken their silence as they said they have been living out their “worst nightmares”.

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe stabbed 16-year-old Brianna Ghey 28 times with a hunting knife in a horrific attack on 11 February last year after luring her to Linear Park near Warrington.

The judge at Manchester Crown Court said the “exceptionally brutal” murder had elements of sadism by Jenkinson and transphobic hate by Ratcliffe.

Saying their lives were “in turmoil”, Jenkinson’s family thanked Brianna‘s mother Esther Ghey for her “incredible selflessness and empathy towards our family”.

In a statement to the Warrington Guardian, Scarlett Jenkinson’s family said: “All of our thoughts are for Brianna and her family.

“The last 12 months have been beyond our worst nightmares as we have come to realise the brutal truth of Scarlett’s actions.”

The four-week trial heard the pair, who were 15, had a fascination with violence, torture and serial killers, with Jenkinson wanting to keep a part of Brianna’s flesh as a “token”.

Jenkinson was jailed for a minimum term of 22 years, and Ratcliffe 20.

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Victim’s parents say killers should never be free

Brianna’s parents told the sentencing hearing the pair should never be released from prison.

Esther Ghey, her mother, said: “I don’t believe that someone who is so disturbed and obsessed with murder and torture would ever be able to be rehabilitated.

Earlier this year she branded the killers cowards:

Brianna Ghey’s mother calls killers cowards and calls for compassion towards families

Brianna, 16, was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife to her head, neck and chest after she was lured to a park near Warrington last year

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 18:55
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No jail time will ever be enough, says Brianna’s father

Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, said: “No amount of time spent in prison will be enough for these monsters” as he branded his daughter’s killers “pure evil”.

Brianna Ghey’s father says ‘evil monsters’ who killed daughter should be forgotten

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, brutally murdered 16-year-old Brianna in a frenzied killing on February 11 last year

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 19:12
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Full report: Brianna Ghey’s teenage killers jailed for life

Brianna Ghey’s killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe named and jailed

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe had ‘thirst for killing’ as judge rules murder was ‘sadistic’ and transphobic

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 19:34
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Shy, depressed teenager had thousands of online followers

Brianna Ghey had thousands of followers on TikTok, but in reality was a withdrawn, shy and anxious teenager who struggled with depression and rarely left her home. She was said to have been bullied at school.

‘Bullied’ Brianna Ghey said she was excluded from school in TikTok days before death

Schoolgirl was subject to bullying for years say friends as police probe possible ‘hate crime’

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 19:50
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Jenkinson watched videos of murder and torture on dark web

Scarlett Jenkinson, at the age of 14, downloaded an internet browser app to watch videos of the torture and murder of real people in “red rooms” on the “dark web”.

She grew an interest in serial killers, making notes on their methods and admitted enjoying “dark fantasies” about killing and torture, the pair living in a secret world of warped interests in murder and cruelty, the trial heard.

Jurors at Manchester Crown Court were told it was “difficult to fathom” how the two child defendants could carry out such a disturbing crime.

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 20:40
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Killer’s family thank victim’s mother for empathy and compassion

The family of killer Scarlett Jenkinson have offered their “sincere thanks” to Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered Brianna Ghey for her “incredible selflessness and empathy” towards them.

“Her compassion is overwhelming and we are forever grateful,” they said in a statement to the Warrington Guardian.

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 21:41
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Killer’s parents back life sentence for their daughter

The parents of killer Scarlett Jenkinson say they agree with the life sentence their daughter was given.

The past 12 months have been beyond their “worst nightmares” as they realised the brutal truth of their daughter’s actions, they said.

In a statement to the Warrington Guardian, they said: “All of our thoughts are for Brianna and her family.

“The last 12 months have been beyond our worst nightmares as we have come to realise the brutal truth of Scarlett’s actions.”

Scarlett Jenkinson and Brianna (Cheshire Police)
Jane Dalton2 February 2024 22:41
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Jenkinson’s parents apologise to Brianna’s family and friends

The parents of killer Scarlett Jenkinson have issued an apology to Brianna’s friends and family and the community.

They said their lives were in turmoil, but that their immediate focus was to make sure that they “don’t do anything against the wishes of Brianna’s family”.

They told the Warrington Guardian: “To all of Brianna’s family and friends, our community and everyone else that has been affected by this horror, we are truly sorry.”

They said they had set up an email address, GirlXMedia@Gmail.com, to help coordinate media enquiries.

Alex Ross2 February 2024 23:06
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Watch: Brianna Ghey’s mother launches campaign in memory of daughter

Brianna Ghey’s mother’s pledge as she launches campaign in memory of daughter

The mother of a 16-year-old girl tragically killed in a park in Warrington has launched a campaign in her daughter’s memory and pledged to help others. Esther Ghey, 36, has launched the Brianna Ghey: Peace in Mind appeal to raise money for the Mindfulness in Schools Project, which aims to help young people with their mental health. Brianna, 16, a transgender girl from Birchwood, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in Culcheth Linear Park on 11 February. A boy and girl, aged 15, have been charged with Brianna’s murder.

Jane Dalton2 February 2024 23:41
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How torture-obsessed teenagers plotted murder

Scarlett Jenkinson, a teenage girl with a fascination for serial killers watched her favourite film Sweeney Todd as she and Eddie Ratcliffe put the finishing touches to a meticulous plan for a brutal murder. The following day, they lured transgender teenager Brianna Ghey to a park in Culcheth, near Warrington:

How teenagers obsessed with torture and murder plotted Brianna Ghey’s killing

Scarlett Jenkinson called herself a Satanist and had dark fantasies about killing people before she and Eddie Ratcliffe stabbed Brianna to death, Tara Cobham writes

Jane Dalton3 February 2024 00:20

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