Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Crime
Rhianna Benson
The two teenagers found guilty of the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey will have their anonymity wavered, a judge has ruled.
'Girl X' and 'Boy Y' - who were both 15 at the time of the murder at Culcheth Linear Park in Cheshire in February of this year - will be named on February 2, 2024.
Transgender teenager Brianna was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back after being lured to the forested park area on 11 February 2023.
Her killers denied murder and each blamed the other for the killing of the teenager, which was described as 'horrific' by detectives.
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Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip said she will deal with an application by the press to publish the defendants’ names at a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.
At the same court on Wednesday, she also adjourned sentencing to an unconfirmed later date in the New Year, before making clear to the convicted pair that they faced life sentences after being found guilty.
The jury - made up of seven men and five women - heard that the killers were intelligent, 'high functioning' and came from normal backgrounds.
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The defendants were also found to have had a fascination for violence, torture and murder – and a 'thirst for killing'.
Since being found guilty, the lawyers of Brianna's murderers have requested a period of time prior to sentencing to prepare for the preparation of psychologists' reports.
"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," Mrs Justice Yip told members of the court this week.
"I’m very conscious that no doubt the family of Brianna would want this case to be concluded as soon as possible."