Teenagers accused of murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey will go on trial in the summer

Two teenagers charged with the murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey will go on trial in the summer.

The defendants, who are both aged 15 and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning (Thursday) via video link for a brief hearing in front of Judge David Aubrey KC. They spoke only to confirm their names.

Brianna was found with stab wounds in Linear Park in Culcheth, Warrington, Cheshire, on Saturday morning (February 11). Paying tribute, her family called her a 'larger than life character' who was 'strong, fearless, and one of a kind'.

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Further dates for the case were set, with a preliminary trial date scheduled for July 10, with an estimate of three weeks. No pleas were entered during the preliminary hearing. The teenagers were remanded into youth custody.

"I have set a number of dates but the dates that you need to be aware of is that a plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on May 2, and I have also fixed a trial date for July 10," the judge told them.

"Each of you will be remanded into youth detention accommodation."

Vigils are being held across the country for the teenager, who was described by her family as 'beautiful, witty and hilarious'. In Manchester, mourners gathered in Sackville Gardens to pay their respects on Wednesday evening.

The teenagers will next appear in court on May 2 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. No application for bail was made for either defendant.

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