Scarlett Jenkinson, who was described by the judge as the “driving force” behind the murder, was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years for what the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said was “one of the most disturbing cases” their lawyers had ever dealt with.
Eddie Ratcliffe , a quiet and studious former champion kickboxer, was given 20 years for killing Brianna, an “out and proud” transgender girl who hoped to become a beauty therapist.
The pair, both 16, were named for the first time before the sentencing after the judge lifted reporting restrictions.
Mrs Justice Yip said: “You both took part in a brutal and planned murder which was sadistic in nature and where a secondary motive was hostility towards Brianna because of her transgender identity.”
She said Jenkinson was motivated by a “deep desire to kill” and pronounced her concern on hearing that the teenager had “expressed the desire to kill again” after her conviction. She had written a new “kill list” since her detention, which included the names of some of her carers, the court heard.
The judge said to the defendants: “You picked Brianna because you both thought she would be an easy target.”
Yip warned the pair they may never be released if they “remain a danger”. Though Jenkinson pleaded not guilty to the murder, Manchester crown court heard that since her conviction she had admitted to taking part in the stabbing , having previously blamed Ratcliffe for the murder.
This story is from the February 03, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the February 03, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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