THE mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey said her daughter’s killers had shown not “an ounce of remorse” and she had therefore lost any sympathy she previously felt for them, while her father says he feels guilt as he was not there to protect her.
Speaking outside Manchester Crown Court, Brianna’s mother Esther Ghey said: “Prior to the trial I had moments where I felt sorry for the defendants because they had ruined their own lives as well as ours.
“But now, knowing the true nature and seeing neither display an ounce of remorse for what they have done to Brianna, I have lost all sympathy that I may have previously had for them.
“And I am glad that they will spend many years in prison and away from society.”
She added: “Brianna was larger than life. She was funny, witty and fearless.
“We miss Brianna so much and our house feels empty without her laughter.
“To know how scared my usually fearless child must have been when she was alone in that park with someone that she called her friend will haunt me forever.”
She said she is “glad” her daughter’s killers will spend many years away from society after the two teenagers were found guilty of the “disturbing” murder.
Brianna, 16, was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest and back after being lured to Linear Park, Culcheth, on the afternoon of February 11.
The pair, identified only as girl X and boy Y – both now aged 16 but 15 at the time, had denied murder and each blamed the other for the killing of the transgender teenager, described as “horrific” by detectives.
Brianna Ghey’s mother Esther Ghey making a statement outside court Photo credit Peter Byrne/PA Wire
She said: “I’m so grateful that in the last moments of her life she had the concern and kindness from you all, and I undoubtedly know that you did all you could do to help my precious child.”
She also thanked the jury for “making the right decision” and for ensuring “society is now a safer place”.
The mother added: “Lastly, please have some empathy and compassion for the families of the young people convicted of this horrific crime.
“They too have lost a child and they must live the rest of their lives knowing what their child has done.”
She finished her statement by saying her family request “healing space” for the next few weeks, but promised to be back at the end of January to continue campaigning for better mental health support for young people and their families.
Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, said he was “so proud” of his daughter and would never stop loving her.
He added: “It is impossible to put into words how the murder of my child has affected me.
“I never stopped loving her and I never will. When she was little I remember the faces she would pull to make me laugh.
“The cheeky giggle, the funny dances are engraved in my memory.
“I knew she was going to be a star and the amount of support she received from the followers on TikTok proved this.
“I was so proud of what she could do.”
“I hate how her life has been brutally taken away from her and she’s been deprived of the life she wanted to live.
“It’s difficult to comprehend how some people can do these vile things in the world and don’t understand how cruel and heartbreaking their actions can be. The impact of Brianna’s death has not just affected me as her father, but also my whole family.
“My heart bleeds every day for Brianna and this will never go away and the amount of guilt I have can sometimes be unbearable, but I will ensure her memory lives on in my thoughts and dreams.”
He also said Brianna had “an amazing talent” which she enjoyed sharing with friends and family.
“I look into her eyes and they shine back at me,” he said. “And I know she was a beautiful girl to be proud of.”
He said said it “breaks” him daily to know he will never see his daughter again.
Speaking through tears outside Manchester Crown Court, Mr Spooner said: “We spoke a few days before she was taken from me and we were arranging to meet each other.
“It breaks me every day to know I’ll never get that chance again.
“I wish I’d been there to protect her. That’s something I must live with.
“The suffering from this horrific incident should never happen and I hope no other family ever experiences the torture this can bring.”
Peter Spooner, father of Brianna Ghey making a statement outside Manchester Crown Court, Photo Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Meanwhile, the court heard her killers were intelligent, “high functioning” and coming from normal backgrounds, but the pair had a fascination for violence, torture and murder – and had a “thirst for killing”.
Neither had been in trouble with police before.
They were discussing Brianna’s murder for weeks, detailed in a hand-written murder plan and phone messages found by detectives.
A jury of seven men and five women convicted the two following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court after four hours and 40 minutes of deliberations.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip told the defendants they faced life sentences, with sentencing to take place at a later date.
Boy Y, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and who is non-verbal, and girl X, who has traits of autism and ADHD, were both in the dock as the verdicts were delivered.
Jurors were told it was “difficult to fathom” how the two child defendants could carry out such a disturbing crime.
At age 14, girl X had downloaded a TOR internet browser app, to enjoy watching videos of the torture and murder of real people, in “red rooms” on the “dark web”.
She grew an interest in serial killers, making notes on their methods, and admitted enjoying “dark fantasies” about killing and torture, the pair living in a secret world of warped interests in murder and cruelty, the court heard.
They drew up a “kill list” of four other youths they intended to harm, until Brianna had the “misfortune” to be befriended by girl X, who became “obsessed” with her.
Brianna had thousands of followers on TikTok, but in reality was a withdrawn, shy and anxious teenager who struggled with depression and rarely left her home.
Girl X told her accomplice she wanted to stab Brianna “jus coz its fun lol… I want to see the pure horror on her face and hear her scream”.
She got her wish after luring Brianna to the park on a Saturday afternoon, believing she was going to “hang out” with friends.
The gruesome murder of the transgender teenager in a public park prompted candlelit vigils worldwide protesting against perceived transphobia.
But detectives believe Brianna was killed because she was vulnerable and accessible, with her death not a hate crime but done for “enjoyment” and a “thirst for killing”.
Court was adjourned to Thursday when Mrs Justice Yip said she will deal with an application by the media to publish the names of the defendants.
Brianna's mother, Esther, read her statement earlier today outside Manchester Crown Court. pic.twitter.com/egK5Q8o0Yn
— Cheshire Police (@cheshirepolice) December 20, 2023
Brianna's father, Peter, reads his statement following today's verdict. pic.twitter.com/XV5qy78TCE
— Cheshire Police (@cheshirepolice) December 20, 2023
Boy and girl with “thirst for killing” both found guilty of murder of teenager Brianna Ghey
