UK - Aria Thorpe, age 9, murdered by teenager, Weston-Super-Mare Dec 15, 2025

[ChatteringBirds]

Wondering how this case is likely to go.

Could he just plead guilty, if he wanted to, without it going to trial?

What is the maximum prison term a 15-year-old could even face?

Will his identity be protected by the Court no matter the outcome?

Do teens in these types of cases in England typically walk free within a few years?

 

[Sarahlou]

Wondering how this case is likely to go.

Could he just plead guilty, if he wanted to, without it going to trial?

What is the maximum prison term a 15-year-old could even face?

Will his identity be protected by the Court no matter the outcome?

Do teens in these types of cases in England typically walk free within a few years?

Yes he could plead guilty without going to trial.

His identity will be protected unless the judge decides to name him if found guilty.

It depends, but one example is Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, who were 15 at the time of their crime. Scarlett got life with a minimum of 22 years for her part in murdering Brianna Ghey. Eddie got a minimum of 20. They were told they might never be released.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Wondering how this case is likely to go.

Could he just plead guilty, if he wanted to, without it going to trial?

What is the maximum prison term a 15-year-old could even face?

Will his identity be protected by the Court no matter the outcome?

Do teens in these types of cases in England typically walk free within a few years?

Re sentencing and identity release, it is usually dependent on the circumstances of the crime I think. The judge does have the discretion to name an offender if they feel it is in the publics interest, it doesn't tend to happen that often.
Sometimes once the offender turns 18 they release the identity, and sometimes we never know (formally, its usually out there in the first few days if you care to look).

They dont tend to lock kids up for life, but again it depends on the circumstances.
This case is in England, but take a pretty high profile case from Scotland a few years back, 16yr old Aaron Campbell snatched 6yr old Alesha MacPhail from her bed, raped and murdered her and was sentenced to life with 27 years minimum, which was reduced to 24 on appeal. He was sent to Polmont young offenders institute, and was moved last year aged 21 or 22 to Glenochil adult prison.

The judge lifted the order banning the release of his identity.

There are other examples but this is the case I am very familiar with off the top of my head.

 

[handsome_squidward]

Very likely to have been her stepbrother. Her mum's Facebook has photos with her very partner who has 4 kids from a prior relationship, one of whom is a teenage boy. Sad that these dynamics can be so horrifyingly dangerous for children, especially girls.