Details Emerge in Murder Trial of Nine-Year-Old Girl
A Bristol Crown Court has been presented with information indicating that a 16-year-old boy, facing charges of murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of a nine-year-old girl, had been expelled from his school merely hours before the incident. The victim, Aria Thorpe, sustained a single stab wound to her chest and died at her home in Weston-super-Mare on December 15 last year. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Defendant's School History and Family Statements
Testimony in court revealed that the defendant frequently encountered disciplinary issues due to disruptive behavior. However, a week prior to his expulsion, teachers reportedly felt he was making a concerted effort. The boy's mother provided a statement, recounting a call from the school on the day of Aria's death, informing her of the decision to expel her son. She expressed anger, noting the prior positive feedback, and stated that she confiscated his phone and conveyed her disappointment. Despite this, she observed no significant change in his demeanor, describing him as calm.
The defendant's grandfather also provided a statement, mentioning the boy's tendency to 'back chat' his mother but denying any knowledge of physical altercations. He noted that they were exploring options for the boy to join the Navy, characterizing him as non-academic and prone to impulsive actions. Attempts to engage him in rugby were unsuccessful, as the boy found the sport 'too aggressive'.
The Discovery and Mother's Last Moments with Aria
Aria Thorpe was discovered lying face down in her home by Ollie Sheppard, a temporary lodger, shortly after 6:00 PM GMT. Emergency personnel ceased resuscitation efforts at 6:58 PM. Aria's mother, Victoria Hull, testified that she had picked up her daughter from an after-school dance class around 4:30 PM. The last time she saw Aria alive, the girl was happily eating mini-pizzas while watching TV. Hull then left for her evening shift at Pontins, working to earn extra money for Christmas. She recalled Aria saying, "see you after work mummy," to which she replied, "see you after work, love you."
Upon realizing attempts were being made to contact her, Hull left work early and arrived home around 7:20 PM to find police at her residence.
Arrest and Police Interview
The defendant was apprehended by police officers on a train at Worle Railway Station just before its departure. During his police interview, jurors were informed that the defendant stated, "I don't know why I did it, it just happened." He reportedly became emotional and shook his head when questioned about whether he intended to stab Aria or if he was angry at her. He told officers that Aria "said my name and fell to the floor." He confirmed that Aria could see the knife as he approached her and shook his head when asked if he checked on her or attempted to call for an ambulance. When asked about his departure, he cited being "scared" and "shocked." The trial is ongoing.
Source: Teen accused of girl's murder expelled from school hours before her death, court hears