Who are Jerome and Joshua Ellis? Responsible Child’s true story revealed
RESPONSIBLE Child is a new crime drama that will hit screens tonight.
The troubling tale is based on the true story of Jerome Ellis, the 14-year-old who killed his stepdad in 2013. Here’s all you need to know.
What story is Responsible Child based on?
The programme is loosely based on the real life case of 14-year-old Jerome Ellis and his older brother Joshua, 23, who murdered their stepdad in a gruesome knife attack on the family sofa.
Neil Tulley, 54, was found with 65 stab wounds and his head nearly severed in their home in Bellfields, Surrey in 2013.
Jerome was found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of loss of control and jailed for six years.
Joshua, who struggled with depression, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 14 years behind bars.
The pair claimed their mum’s partner was abusive and had threatened to kill Joshua in the past.
Both brothers were tried as adults, as the minimum age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10.
There are a few concessions made however, the child is addressed by their first name and they are allowed to sit near their parents or chosen guardian.
A BBC spin off will air tonight on BBC2 at 9pm
The cast and story
The episode explores the issues surrounding the law when it comes to child crime.
It follows 11-year-old Ray McCullin, a sensitive child and former carer to his infant half-siblings is on trial with his big brother Nathan, 21, for a brutal murder.
Similar to Jerome and Joshua, their stepdad was abusive and attacked Nathan with an axe.
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Responsible Child is the work of Skins writer Sean Buckley and documentary maker Nick Holt, who worked on Channel 4’s The Murder Trial.
It will air tonight on BBC2 at 9pm.