NOW that two youths have been convicted of murdering Brianna Ghey, attention will turn to sentencing.
The pair, both aged 16, but aged 15 at the time of the killing, are still the subject of reporting restrictions due to their age, preventing them from being named.
They have been refereed to during coverage of the trial as girl X, from Warrington, and boy Y, from Leigh.
Both denied a charge of murdering Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender schoolgirl from Birchwood, but were found guilty.
The verdicts came after a four-week trial, and after four hours and 40 minutes of deliberations by a jury of seven men and five women.
Trial judge Justice Amanda Yip is due to preside over a hearing tomorrow morning, Thursday, in which reporting restrictions will be mentioned.
The hearing will also discuss any potential sentence date, expected to be next year.
Following the verdicts, after the court hearing was reconvened, legal representatives for both defendants asked for time for the preparation of psychologists’ reports before they are sentenced.
Justice Yip agreed but added: “Frankly, I don’t expect them to make a huge difference to the outcome in sentencing.
“But, given their ages and the unusual circumstances of the case, I think it is right I have all the information available.
“I’m very conscious that no doubt the family of Brianna would want this case to be concluded as soon as possible.”
Deanna Heer, prosecuting, said Brianna’s mother, Esther, would like to read her victim impact statement before the sentencing hearing.
She added: “They understand the court wants the further assistance of medical reports.”
A sentencing date has yet to be confirmed.
Mrs Justice Yip said she will deal with an application by the media to be allowed to publish the names of the defendants at the hearing tomorrow morning, and proceedings were adjourned until then.
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