LONDON — The two 16-year-old individuals found guilty of the murder of a transgender teenager in northwest England almost a year ago have been given life sentences. Justice Amanda Yip revealed the identities of the killers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, at Manchester Crown Court. The shockingly violent murder took place in Warrington on Feb. 11, 2023, during which 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in broad daylight. Ratcliffe and Jenkinson were each given a mandatory life sentence with minimum terms of 20 and 22 years, respectively. The judge emphasized that they will only be considered for release if they no longer pose a threat, and mentioned that their behavior was planned and sadistic, with an underlying motivation of hostility towards Brianna because of her transgender identity. The two will be transferred to adult prisons after they turn 18.
“Scarlett, your motivation was to act out your fantasies,” she said. Jenkinson was described as the ringleader, with the judge noting that she had “enjoyed” killing Ghey, resulting in a longer minimum term for her.
Both defendants had not been named during the trial due to legal protections for young offenders, but these restrictions were lifted after they were found guilty last month. The judge cited a strong public interest in the unrestricted reporting of this exceptional case as the reason for naming them. The sentencing came after hearing victim impact statements from Ghey’s family and experts. Brianna’s father expressed his grief, stating that no amount of time spent in prison will be enough for the perpetrators who took away his “beautiful daughter.”
Ratcliffe and Jenkinson had denied the murder, blaming each other for the fatal stabbing. The nature of the crime involved planned violence, as evidenced by a handwritten plan and phone messages found by detectives. The two were described as intelligent individuals with a fascination for violence and serial killers, with discussions regarding the possibility of killing others. The parents of Brianna Ghey made a statement during the sentencing, expressing their belief that the two should never be released from prison.
