Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, the murderers of Brianna Ghey, have been sentenced to life in prison and may never be released. Jenkinson has been sentenced to a minimum term of 22 years, while Ratcliffe has been sentenced to a minimum term of 20 years, as a result of mitigating factors such as his autism diagnosis.

Justice Yip added that the pair could spend the rest of their lives in prison if they are not rehabilitated. “You will only be released if you can no longer be seen as a danger,” she said, stressing that they “both took part in a brutal and planned murder which was sadistic in nature.”

The pair killed Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl, in a premeditated attack in a park in Cheshire on February 11 2023. Ghey was found by members of the public “lying on a path with stab wounds” and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.

Tributes quickly poured in for Ghey, who was described as “strong, fearless and one of a kind” by her family and had a sizeable online following on TikTok.

“Brianna was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious,” her family said in a statement at the time. “The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.”

Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were both arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after and convicted in December 2023.

As the pair were 15 at the time of the murder, the media were not allowed to report their names. But Mrs Justice Yip lifted the anonymity order today (February 2 2024), due to the “exceptional” nature of the case. She explained the decision by arguing that it is important for the public to try and understand “how children could do something so dreadful”.

The prosecution told the court that there was evidence that the murder was in part motivated by Brianna being transgender, with Ratcliffe expressing “transphobic attitudes” to Jenkinson in text messages about Ghey prior to the murder. Justice Yip confirmed that she believed Ratcliffe’s messages were “transphobic” and “dehumanising”, and agreed that the murder was at least partly motivated by Ratcliffe’s transphobia.

“[Brianna] had some struggles but was supported by her loving family,” Mrs Justice Yip said in her sentencing remarks, adding “even though her life was short she made an impact”. She went on to express her “deepest sympathy” for Brianna’s family.

Esther Ghey, Brianna’s mother, said she had “never felt such grief” before and added that it was the “hardest thing” to come to terms with the fact that her daughter had been killed by someone she considered a friend. Brianna’s father added that he had been “proud to gain another beautiful daughter” when Ghey transitioned. “We were forming a new relationship and these two murderers have stolen that from us both,” he said.