Brianna Ghey accused can't both be telling truth - judge

Two teenagers who are accused of the frenzied killing of Brianna Ghey cannot both be telling the truth, a judge has told a jury.

The 16-year-old was stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in Culcheth Linear Park in Cheshire in February.

The defendants, identified only as girl X and boy Y, who were 15 at the time, deny murder and are blaming each other.

The teenagers, now 16, both said their backs were turned when the other defendant began stabbing Brianna.

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Trial judge Mrs Justice Yip told the jury: "On the facts of the case and the evidence before you, they can't both be telling the truth."

Giving legal directions to jurors after the prosecution and defence case concluded, she added: "The defendants are each charged with Brianna Ghey's murder.

"The prosecution case is that they acted together to bring about her death and both intending that she should be killed.

"Each defendant says that the other defendant is the person who stabbed Brianna and was not expecting or wanting Brianna to be killed.

"You should approach the evidence calmly and dispassionately.

"You must not be influenced by any emotional reaction or sympathy for anyone involved."

The trial has heard both defendants had a fascination for violence, torture and murder and it was alleged they had planned the killing for weeks.

Jurors were told girl X enjoyed watching internet torture and killing material from the "dark web" and had an interest in serial killers.

The jury was also shown an alleged "murder plan" on how to kill Brianna along with phone messages they exchanged, including a "kill list" of other children they planned to harm.

Girl X has said she enjoyed "dark fantasies" but with no intention to ever turn them into reality, while boy Y said he went along with them and did not take them seriously; both say they never expected the other to act on them.

The judge told jurors that next week prosecution and defence counsel will give closing speeches and she will sum up the evidence before they retire to consider verdicts.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.

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