Brianna's killers to be named on sentencing

BRIANNA Ghey's killers will be named the day they are sentenced for her murder.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Yip, heard arguments for and against whether the defendants, known as Girl X and Boy Y, can be named now they have been found guilty.

Currently, the media is not legally permitted to name the pair.

A court order has been in force since the two 16-year-olds appeared in court last February after they were charged with the crime.

They were both found guilty of Brianna's murder on Wednesday.

The order, made under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, means the media cannot publish any details which would lead to the two defendants being identified. Such details include their name, address, the school they attend or a picture of them.

Breaching the reporting restrictions is a criminal offence, and can lead to fines or a prison sentence.

The order was imposed by a judge at the pair's first appearance at Liverpool Crown Court before the case was transferred to be heard in Manchester.

Following their conviction for Brianna's murder, the media applied to the trial judge for the order to be lifted, so that Girl X and Boy Y can be named in future reports.