Brianna Ghey: Killers Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, named for first time

The two 16-year-olds who murdered Brianna Ghey, a transgender 15-year-old girl in a Warrington park on 11 February 2023, have been named as Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe. Throughout a harrowing four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, the killers were referred to as Girl X and Boy Y. The identities of under-18s involved in criminal trials are usually kept secret until they turn 18, but in this case trial judge Mrs Justice Yip lifted the anonymity order, citing “a strong public interest in the full and unrestricted reporting of what is plainly an exceptional case”. She said it was “inevitable” that their names would be circulated once they turn 18 in 2025, and that maintaining the order in the meantime would represent “a substantial and unreasonable restriction on the freedom of the press.” Representations were also made on behalf of the media — PA news agency and ITN — to lift the reporting restrictions. The media application was supported by Brianna’s family. Today Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner, told Sky News he had changed his mind on their identities being made public. “At first, I thought they should be named. Why should they be protected? People should know who they are,” he said. “Now, I think their names are always going to be tied to Brianna’s all the time. I think they should just be forgotten about, locked up and not be spoken about again. They’re nothing.”