tv BBC News Now BBCNEWS February 2, 2024 2:45pm-3:01pm GMT
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�* waiting waiting for sitting there silently waiting for thejudge to appear to sitting there silently waiting for the judge to appear to deliver his sentencing remarks. we are expecting her to take about half an hour or so but there are a total of 50 people in the court and the public gallery and its completely silent. this morning at about 9:30am we saw brianna ghey�*s family turn up at court. herfather, sorry her stepfather, father, mother, sister but also people at the head teacher of a school. there are also family members for the two murderers, eddie ratcliffe and scarlettjenkinson. ratcliffe and scarlett jenkinson. they ratcliffe and scarlettjenkinson. they are both in court today as well. ratcliffe and jenkinson are sitting in court, there are about five people sitting between them. scarlettjenkinson has been scarlett jenkinson has been described scarlettjenkinson has been described as fidgeting and repeatedly folding a piece of paper and opening it up again. eddie ratcliffe is sitting silently staring straight ahead. we are
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expecting the comments to start quite soon. she was due to start addressing the court that 2:15pm but obviously has been some delay. she said she would expect to take about half an hour to deliver them so what we expect to happen is that the cameras will turn on just as the judge is about to start. we will get herfull judge is about to start. we will get her full sentencing remarks on camera and then the camera will cut off at the end. find camera and then the camera will cut off at the end-— off at the end. and we are “ust keein: off at the end. and we are “ust keeping an fl off at the end. and we are “ust keeping an eye i off at the end. and we are “ust keeping an eye on i off at the end. and we are “ust keeping an eye on that i off at the end. and we are just j keeping an eye on that camera off at the end. and we are just i keeping an eye on that camera as off at the end. and we are just - keeping an eye on that camera as we wait for those remarks to come through. let's cross live now to the court. ., ., ., , ., ., court. you are to be detained at her ma'es is court. you are to be detained at her majesty is pleasure. _ court. you are to be detained at her majesty is pleasure. as _ court. you are to be detained at her majesty is pleasure. as you - court. you are to be detained at her majesty is pleasure. as you know, l majesty is pleasure. as you know, that is _ majesty is pleasure. as you know, that is a _ majesty is pleasure. as you know, that is a life — majesty is pleasure. as you know, that is a life sentence. i must also set the _ that is a life sentence. i must also set the minimum time before you can be considered for release. but how lon- be considered for release. but how long you _ be considered for release. but how long you will actually serve will not he — long you will actually serve will not be decided today. you will only be released if in the future it is
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decided — be released if in the future it is decided that you no longer present a dangeh _ decided that you no longer present a danger. that decision will be for the parole — danger. that decision will be for the parole board. if you remain a danger, — the parole board. if you remain a danger, you _ the parole board. if you remain a danger, you will serve very much longer— danger, you will serve very much longer than — danger, you will serve very much longer than the minimum term and may never_ longer than the minimum term and may never be _ longer than the minimum term and may never be released. but you are very young _ never be released. but you are very young and _ never be released. but you are very young and it — never be released. but you are very young and it can only be hoped that young and it can only be hoped that you will— young and it can only be hoped that you will work hard at your rehabilitation and overcome what caused _ rehabilitation and overcome what caused you to kill so that you can be released one day. before i pass sentence _ be released one day. before i pass sentence i— be released one day. before i pass sentence i need to explain howl have _ sentence i need to explain howl have decided on the minimum terms. it will— have decided on the minimum terms. it will take _ have decided on the minimum terms. it will take to explain everything. you nnay— it will take to explain everything. you may not take it all in straightaway but as soon as i've finished — straightaway but as soon as i've finished sentencing you i will give your legal— finished sentencing you i will give your legal teams written copies so that they— your legal teams written copies so that they and your intermediaries can explain anything you have missed — can explain anything you have missed. brianna ghey was only 16
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years— missed. brianna ghey was only 16 years old — missed. brianna ghey was only 16 years old when she was killed. she had her— years old when she was killed. she had her whole life ahead of her. brianna — had her whole life ahead of her. brianna ghey had some struggles that made her— brianna ghey had some struggles that made her vulnerable though she was supported _ made her vulnerable though she was supported by a loving family who wanted _ supported by a loving family who wanted nothing but the best for her. sadly, _ wanted nothing but the best for her. sadly, no— wanted nothing but the best for her. sadly, no one will ever know what she would — sadly, no one will ever know what she would have achieved in her life. even _ she would have achieved in her life. even though her life was so short she made — even though her life was so short she made an impact. her family remember— she made an impact. her family remember herfor her left she made an impact. her family remember her for her left —— laughter, _ remember her for her left —— laughter, not for being full of life and is _ laughter, not for being full of life and is a _ laughter, not for being full of life and is a good listener. their loss is unimaginable. but they have bravely— is unimaginable. but they have bravely and movingly painted a picture — bravely and movingly painted a picture of brianna ghey in the statements read today. they have my deepest _ statements read today. they have my deepest sympathy. scarlet and eddie, you have _ deepest sympathy. scarlet and eddie, you have been good friends from 11. you were _ you have been good friends from 11. you were 15— you have been good friends from 11. you were 15 when you killed. scarlett, _ you were 15 when you killed. scarlett, you met brianna ghey when you move _ scarlett, you met brianna ghey when
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you move school in october 2022. you -ot you move school in october 2022. you got to _ you move school in october 2022. you got to know _ you move school in october 2022. you got to know her and she believed you were her— got to know her and she believed you were her friend. got to know her and she believed you were herfriend. brianna got to know her and she believed you were her friend. brianna ghey suffered — were her friend. brianna ghey suffered anxiety and was nervous about _ suffered anxiety and was nervous about going out but on the 11th of february— about going out but on the 11th of february last year you got her to meet _ february last year you got her to meet you — february last year you got her to meet you in linear park. for all her fears— meet you in linear park. for all her fears she _ meet you in linear park. for all her fears she could not possibly have known _ fears she could not possibly have known you — fears she could not possibly have known you were a danger to her. but you two _ known you were a danger to her. but you two had — known you were a danger to her. but you two had been plotting to kill her and — you two had been plotting to kill her and did so that afternoon. i don't _ her and did so that afternoon. i don't want _ her and did so that afternoon. i don't want to dwell on the murder itself— don't want to dwell on the murder itself but — don't want to dwell on the murder itself but it — don't want to dwell on the murder itself but it was brutal. the injuries _ itself but it was brutal. the injuries inflicted with the knife eddie — injuries inflicted with the knife eddie had bought a few weeks earlier were awful. they were 28 deep stab wounds _ were awful. they were 28 deep stab wounds to _ were awful. they were 28 deep stab wounds to the head, neck, chest and back, _ wounds to the head, neck, chest and back, some — wounds to the head, neck, chest and back, some causing bone damage showing _ back, some causing bone damage showing considerable force was used. they were _ showing considerable force was used. they were also other injuries not
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themselves fatal but inflicted while brianna _ themselves fatal but inflicted while brianna ghey was still alive. defensive injuries to the arms show that she _ defensive injuries to the arms show that she had tried to defend herself _ that she had tried to defend herself. one wound burst right through— herself. one wound burst right through the upper arm and another left the _ through the upper arm and another left the rest gaping open. there were _ left the rest gaping open. there were other lesser stabbings and cuts _ were other lesser stabbings and cuts. taken together the injuries were _ cuts. taken together the injuries were very— cuts. taken together the injuries were very violent. sadly, brianna ghey— were very violent. sadly, brianna ghey cannot of lost consciousness immediately and she must have been aware _ immediately and she must have been aware she _ immediately and she must have been aware she was being attacked. murdering brianna ghey was a joint plan which — murdering brianna ghey was a joint plan which you carried out together. both of _ plan which you carried out together. both of you — plan which you carried out together. both of you told lies to the jury which _ both of you told lies to the jury which they rejected. scarlett, you make _ which they rejected. scarlett, you make up — which they rejected. scarlett, you make up stories, you blur the lines between _ make up stories, you blur the lines between fantasy and real life. when
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the doctor— between fantasy and real life. when the doctor saw youtube to prepare a report _ the doctor saw youtube to prepare a report for— the doctor saw youtube to prepare a report for today's purposes you told him that _ report for today's purposes you told him that eddie had thrown brianna ghey— him that eddie had thrown brianna ghey to— him that eddie had thrown brianna ghey to the floor and stabbed her three _ ghey to the floor and stabbed her three or— ghey to the floor and stabbed her three or four times and then panicked _ three or four times and then panicked and said he didn't want to kill her— panicked and said he didn't want to kill her so— panicked and said he didn't want to kill her so you snatched the knife off him _ kill her so you snatched the knife off him and did it yourself. you have _ off him and did it yourself. you have repeatedly said similar accounts to others but with variations. today i am now told that you say— variations. today i am now told that you say eddie inflicted most of the wounds _ you say eddie inflicted most of the wounds but you admit enjoying your part in— wounds but you admit enjoying your part in the _ wounds but you admit enjoying your part in the murder. the new account scarlett _ part in the murder. the new account scarlett has — part in the murder. the new account scarlett has given since trial do not change my view of the evidence at trial _ not change my view of the evidence at trial. which is what i base my findings — at trial. which is what i base my findings of— at trial. which is what i base my findings of fact on. it is simply impossible to believe any account scarlett _ impossible to believe any account scarlett gives. i am certain that at least _ scarlett gives. i am certain that at least some — scarlett gives. i am certain that at least some of the wounds were inflicted — least some of the wounds were inflicted by you, eddie. you had blood _ inflicted by you, eddie. you had blood on — inflicted by you, eddie. you had blood on your clothing as would be expected _ blood on your clothing as would be expected if you stabbed brianna ghey while she _ expected if you stabbed brianna ghey while she was already bleeding.
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scarlett — while she was already bleeding. scarlett plasma jackie did not appear— scarlett plasma jackie did not appear to have her blood on and in her presentence report she tried to explain _ her presentence report she tried to explain that by saying it had been washed _ explain that by saying it had been washed but other evidence suggests otherwise. there was conflicting expert _ otherwise. there was conflicting expert forensic evidence. i have a chance _ expert forensic evidence. i have a chance to — expert forensic evidence. i have a chance to assess that evidence. i have _ chance to assess that evidence. i have waited carefully alongside the other available evidence including the messages that show that you, eddie. _ the messages that show that you, eddie, were planning to stabbed brianna — eddie, were planning to stabbed brianna ghey with your knife. beyond heing _ brianna ghey with your knife. beyond being sure _ brianna ghey with your knife. beyond being sure eddie inflicted some of the wounds i cannot be sure precisely— the wounds i cannot be sure precisely who did what. that does not matter— precisely who did what. that does not matter for today's purposes. i sentence — not matter for today's purposes. i sentence you on the basis that both of you _ sentence you on the basis that both of you played a full part in killing brianna — of you played a full part in killing brianna ghey and both intended she should _ brianna ghey and both intended she should die — brianna ghey and both intended she should die. i must follow the principles in schedule 21 of the sentencing act 2020 with reference
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also to _ sentencing act 2020 with reference also to the guidelines for sentencing children and young people and those _ sentencing children and young people and those with mental and developmental disorders. i have treated — developmental disorders. i have treated each of you as individuals. i have _ treated each of you as individuals. i have thought about all the evidence i heard during the trial and the — evidence i heard during the trial and the many reports i have read about— and the many reports i have read about you — and the many reports i have read about you. this case is unusual and it has— about you. this case is unusual and it has shocked the public. just to keep you in the loop, we are watching thejudge just to keep you in the loop, we are watching the judge sentencing from manchester crown court. it has just frozen butjust a warning that some of the content could be potentially distressing. there may be some potentially distressing comments as
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the judge delivers her remarks. potentially distressing comments as thejudge delivers her remarks. we will try and join that sentencing as soon as we can. you scarlet, introduced the idea of killing _ you scarlet, introduced the idea of killing people. at first this was fantasy— killing people. at first this was fantasy but it developed into something real. byjanuary 2023 you had a _ something real. byjanuary 2023 you had a real— something real. byjanuary 2023 you had a real desire to kill someone which _ had a real desire to kill someone which you — had a real desire to kill someone which you shared with eddie, asking him to— which you shared with eddie, asking him to help. you had a list of people — him to help. you had a list of people you wanted to kill, mostly people _ people you wanted to kill, mostly people you wanted to kill, mostly people you did not like. you did like brianna ghey though, you are drawn— like brianna ghey though, you are drawn to — like brianna ghey though, you are drawn to her. you thought she was different _ drawn to her. you thought she was different and interesting. you mentioned brianna ghey to eddie and told him _ mentioned brianna ghey to eddie and told him she was transgender. you talked _ told him she was transgender. you talked of—
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told him she was transgender. you talked of wanting to kill her. you tried _ talked of wanting to kill her. you tried to _ talked of wanting to kill her. you tried to poison her by getting her to take _ tried to poison her by getting her to take either broken tablets which made _ to take either broken tablets which made her— to take either broken tablets which made her ill. you made a plan to kill a _ made her ill. you made a plan to kill a boy— made her ill. you made a plan to kill a boy in — made her ill. you made a plan to kill a boy in linear park by slashing _ kill a boy in linear park by slashing his throat and stabbing him _ slashing his throat and stabbing him but— slashing his throat and stabbing him. but he did not respond to messages _ him. but he did not respond to messages so you used that plan for brianna _ messages so you used that plan for brianna ghey. you knew she was vulnerable — brianna ghey. you knew she was vulnerable and needed friendship. you would — vulnerable and needed friendship. you would that. you are going to kill brianna — you would that. you are going to kill brianna ghey on the 28th of january— kill brianna ghey on the 28th of january but her plans changed and she could — january but her plans changed and she could not come. he made a new plan for— she could not come. he made a new plan for the — she could not come. he made a new plan for the 11th of february the day of— plan for the 11th of february the day of the murder. your motivation, scarlett, _ day of the murder. your motivation, scarlett, was — day of the murder. your motivation, scarlett, was to act out to us —— fantasies. — scarlett, was to act out to us —— fantasies. the messages show he wanted _ fantasies. the messages show he wanted to— fantasies. the messages show he wanted to make a real victim feel pain and — wanted to make a real victim feel pain and fear. when brianna ghey did not come _ pain and fear. when brianna ghey did not come on — pain and fear. when brianna ghey did not come on the 28th ofjanuary you told eddie _ not come on the 28th ofjanuary you told eddie that he wanted her to die really— told eddie that he wanted her to die really badly and that you wanted to see the _ really badly and that you wanted to see the pure horror on her face and
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hear— see the pure horror on her face and hear her— see the pure horror on her face and hear her scream in pain. he suggested you wanted to keep some body parts like a piece of flesh undeniable. two days before the murder— undeniable. two days before the murder you said you were excited. afterwards — murder you said you were excited. afterwards you send messages to people _ afterwards you send messages to people drawing attention to the murder — people drawing attention to the murder. you told a doctor you were excited _ murder. you told a doctor you were excited during the mood and found it satisfying _ excited during the mood and found it satisfying. her injury shows he was killed _ satisfying. her injury shows he was killed with — satisfying. her injury shows he was killed with exceptional brutality and the — killed with exceptional brutality and the knife was used to inflict far more — and the knife was used to inflict far more damage than needed to cause death _ far more damage than needed to cause death you, _ far more damage than needed to cause death. you, eddie, did not show the same _ death. you, eddie, did not show the same interest in killing as scarlett said or— same interest in killing as scarlett said or at — same interest in killing as scarlett said or at least i cannot be sure you did — said or at least i cannot be sure you did in _ said or at least i cannot be sure you did. in some earlier messages you did. in some earlier messages you tried _ you did. in some earlier messages you tried to— you did. in some earlier messages you tried to encourage scarlett to think— you tried to encourage scarlett to think about other things but as a scarlet _ think about other things but as a scarlet of— think about other things but as a scarlet of plasma fantasies developed in the real plans you gave support— developed in the real plans you gave support and encouragement to her.
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the evidence shows that you were good _ the evidence shows that you were good friends and that you were able to question scarlett and to say no to question scarlett and to say no to helping — to question scarlett and to say no to helping when it did not suit you. in some _ to helping when it did not suit you. in some ways scarlett looked up to, she saw— in some ways scarlett looked up to, she saw you — in some ways scarlett looked up to, she saw you is cleverer than her. you saw — she saw you is cleverer than her. you saw her _ she saw you is cleverer than her. you saw her as someone who could help you _ you saw her as someone who could help you socially particularly talking — help you socially particularly talking to the girl you liked. you seem _ talking to the girl you liked. you seem to — talking to the girl you liked. you seem to have seen scarlett plasma plans _ seem to have seen scarlett plasma plans as _ seem to have seen scarlett plasma plans as a — seem to have seen scarlett plasma plans as a project. you were happy to help _ plans as a project. you were happy to help carry— plans as a project. you were happy to help carry out the plans when you had nothing — to help carry out the plans when you had nothing better to do. you were not involved in the first effort to kill brianna ghey by giving her tablets — kill brianna ghey by giving her tablets but when scarlett told you about _ tablets but when scarlett told you about that you quickly offered suggestions about other ways to poison _ suggestions about other ways to poison her. scarlett was not the only friend _ poison her. scarlett was not the only friend you exchanged messages about— only friend you exchanged messages about death and killing with. you added _ about death and killing with. you added details to scarlett plasma plans— added details to scarlett plasma plans including the use of code words — plans including the use of code words for— plans including the use of code words for when the attack was to start _ words for when the attack was to start the — words for when the attack was to start. the day before her murder you
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asked _ start. the day before her murder you asked scarlett have you asked it if it can _ asked scarlett have you asked it if it can go _ asked scarlett have you asked it if it can go out tomorrow so we don't repeat— it can go out tomorrow so we don't repeat last — it can go out tomorrow so we don't repeat last time? suggesting you also wanted the plan to be carried through — also wanted the plan to be carried through it — also wanted the plan to be carried through. it would in myjudgment be wholly— through. it would in myjudgment be wholly wrong to treat you as being under _ wholly wrong to treat you as being under scarlett plasma control. i also reject — under scarlett plasma control. i also reject the idea that you only helped _ also reject the idea that you only helped so— also reject the idea that you only helped so scarlett would help with your approaches to the girl. on the other— your approaches to the girl. on the other hand. — your approaches to the girl. on the other hand, i acknowledge that you were not— other hand, i acknowledge that you were not the driving force behind the plan — were not the driving force behind the plan to kill brianna ghey, scarlett — the plan to kill brianna ghey, scarlett was. in your truthful account _ scarlett was. in your truthful account to the police, repeated at trial, _ account to the police, repeated at trial, he _ account to the police, repeated at trial, he suggested scarlett's motive — trial, he suggested scarlett's motive related to her boyfriend. this was— motive related to her boyfriend. this was part of your attempt to distance — this was part of your attempt to distance yourself from the killing altogether. something the jury rejected. i reject you evidence and instead _ rejected. i reject you evidence and instead look to the evidence in the messages — instead look to the evidence in the messages written at the time you
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were _ messages written at the time you were considering your motives. there is insufficient evidence to find that you. _ is insufficient evidence to find that you, eddie, were personally motivated — that you, eddie, were personally motivated by any sadistic desires. there _ motivated by any sadistic desires. there is— motivated by any sadistic desires. there is some evidence you were upset _ there is some evidence you were upset after — there is some evidence you were upset after the killing but you knew scarlett _ upset after the killing but you knew scarlett enjoyed the thought of causing — scarlett enjoyed the thought of causing pain and fear. instant messaging you even encouraged that such a _ messaging you even encouraged that such a suggesting she could derive pleasure _ such a suggesting she could derive pleasure from watching someone die by hanging. you did not know brianna, only what scarlett _ you did not know brianna, only what scarlett told you. she told you brianna — scarlett told you. she told you brianna was transgender. all messages about brianna ware transphobic. you refer to her in a way that— transphobic. you refer to her in a way that was dehumanising, calling her it _ way that was dehumanising, calling her it. when discussing killing brianna. — her it. when discussing killing brianna, you agreed with scarlett
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that she — brianna, you agreed with scarlett that she would be the easiest victim and said. _ that she would be the easiest victim and said. i_ that she would be the easiest victim and said, i want to see if it will scream — and said, i want to see if it will scream like _ and said, i want to see if it will scream like a man or a girl. after the failed — scream like a man or a girl. after the failed attempt and after scarlett expressing brianna suffering, you said, really all i wanted — suffering, you said, really all i wanted was to see what size it had. because _ wanted was to see what size it had. because scarlett is an unreliable interest— because scarlett is an unreliable interest i— because scarlett is an unreliable interest i will not use her evidence that you _ interest i will not use her evidence that you had a problem with gay or transgender people, or will i dwell on the _ transgender people, or will i dwell on the unpleasant messages. but in your messages about brianna, you displayed — your messages about brianna, you displayed hostility towards her based — displayed hostility towards her based on her transgender identity. your explanation is you were just copying _ your explanation is you were just copying language used by friends, including — copying language used by friends, including scarlett, to fit in. throughout the messaging, scarlett
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