Judge condemns “death threats” to families of Brianna Ghey’s killers

Justice Amanda Yip, who presided over the murder trial, made the plea during a hearing this morning, Thursday, in a ruling regarding reporting restrictions.

It was confirmed that both defendants convicted of the Birchwood schoolgirl’s murder – now aged 16 but 15 at the time of the killing – will be able to be named at a certain point during their sentencing hearing on February 2.

The pair, referred to in coverage only as girl X, from Warrington, and boy Y, from Leigh, will continue to be under strict reporting restrictions preventing them from being named, until then.

Brianna, a transgender 16-year-old, was stabbed 28 times and died from her injuries in Culcheth Linear Park on February 11.

Both defendants were convicted by a jury after four hours and 40 minutes of deliberations following a four-week trial.

During the ruling, Justice Yip revealed that “death threats” have been made to the family of one of the defendants, and she urged people to remember the comments of Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey.

In a statement made outside Manchester Crown Court yesterday following the verdicts, she said: “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.”

In today’s hearing, Justice Yip said: “A letter makes it known that one of the defendant’s family has already received death threats.

“Concern is expressed that lifting restrictions will cause increased hostility to them, and to her.

“I accept that revealing the defendants’ identities will cause concern and distress to their families. I am aware that they have already been subject to threats and harassment.

Brianna's mother, Esther Ghey, speaking outside court following the verdicts (Image: PA)

“I well understand their fears that widespread reporting will generate further behaviour of that nature being directed towards them.

“However, the purpose of section 45 is not to protect family members of a convicted defendant.

“I am afraid that I think the risk of the families experiencing further threats and harassment will remain whether the defendants are named now or in 2025 (when they turn 18 and can be named anyway).

“Yesterday afternoon, following the verdicts, Brianna’s parents spoke eloquently and movingly outside court. Their comments have been broadcast.

“Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, expressly called for empathy and compassion to be extended to the parents of the defendants.

“That showed remarkable fortitude and humanity. Those who have seen the defendants’ parents in court over the last few weeks will recognise their suffering.

“Anyone who is tempted to direct vitriol or malice towards the defendants’ families would do well to recognise that they would be acting against the express wishes of Brianna’s bereaved mother.

“They might also question the part they are playing in society in the context of a case in which dark thoughts and hateful messages became enacted in real life.”

Justice Yip also highlighted the “shock generated by Brianna’s murder and the circumstances of it, which has spread well beyond the local community, across the nation and indeed internationally”.

She said: “The murder of Brianna was a shocking event. Brianna was only 16 years’ old at the date of her death. She was transgender and had a significant social media profile.

“Her killing attracted immediate interest and vigils were held for her at locations throughout the United Kingdom.

“As details of her murder emerged, the shock and the public interest increased. Brianna was murdered in a particularly brutal way.

“The two defendants are themselves children who were aged just 15 at the time of the offence. Messages passing between them point to a significant degree of planning.”