Brianna Ghey murder trial: Jury hears distressing 999 call

The caller had been walking her dog with her husband when they came across the dying 16-year-old down a path through woods in a park.

Brianna, had been stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife in Culcheth Linear Park on February 11 this year.

A girl, from Warrington, and a boy, from Leigh, both now aged 16, identified only as X and Y respectively, are on trial for murder at Manchester Crown Court.

Both have pleaded not guilty and blame each other for the killing, the jury has heard. Neither defendant can be named because of their ages.

Beginning at 3.13pm, the 999 call from the female dog walker, breathing heavily and clearly distressed, says, “Police and ambulance. I’m in Culcheth Linear Park. Somebody has been attacked.

“We have seen some of the attackers run away from the body. She’s very hurt.”

The female call operator checks the location.

The dog walker said: “She’s halfway down some stairs. She’s bleeding heavily. She’s blood on her legs and on her back. She’s really hurt.

“We thought it was a dummy at first. I don’t want to touch her either. I don’t know if she’s alive.

“She did twitch before. It’s an absolute mess.”

She tells the operator her husband is going to wait with Brianna while she goes to the car park to direct arriving emergency services.

Breathing heavily, she continues the call: “Oh God. Oh God.”

Brianna Ghey (Image: Cheshire Police)

The operator tells her: “OK, take some deep breaths. Do you think she’s been hit?”

The dog walker says: “I think she’s been attacked. She may have been stabbed. There’s blood coming out of her back. Oh my God. Oh my God.”

She then describes the suspects as a girl and a boy, teenagers, in dark clothing with hoods up.

The operator continues: “Is she breathing?”

The dog walker said: “No, I don’t think so. I can’t see her face, it’s covered in blood.”

When asked by the operator whether the girl was breathing, she said: “I don’t know. It’s awful. She looks dead to me. She’s dressed like a teenager. Oh God. Are they coming quickly? It’s a nightmare.”

She adds that the girl’s shirt is soaked in blood and: “I don’t think there’s anything you can do for her. Oh God.”

She becomes increasingly distressed and the call ends with the operator telling her multiple police units and paramedics are on the way.

The trial continues.

Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service remind everyone that criminal proceedings against both defendants are active, and that they have the right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no commenting or sharing of information or speculation which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Due to their age, reporting restrictions are in place for both defendants, entitling them to anonymity, as well as other children involved in the evidence.