A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. The teenager, protected by legal measures due to his age, is accused of fatally stabbing Aria on 15 December last year.
Aria was found dead at her home in Mead Vale, with police arriving at the scene at 6:09pm. A coroner later confirmed that she died from a single stab wound to the chest, causing widespread grief and shock across the local community.
At Bristol Crown Court on 27 March, the accused entered a plea of not guilty. Prosecutor Ray Tully KC stated that the trial is scheduled to begin on 15 June and is expected to last for two weeks.
Aria’s father, Tom Thorpe, described her as “a brave, kind-hearted and beautiful innocent soul.” Relatives from her mother’s side called Aria “the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light and joy.”
The teenager was arrested just 10 minutes after Aria’s death in nearby Worle at 6:19pm. Judge Martin Picton confirmed that the gag order protecting the boy’s identity remains in place. He will stay in custody until the trial begins.
Originally published by UKNIP.
