Boy, 16, denies murder after girl, nine, stabbed to death

A 16-year-old boy has denied murdering a nine-year-old girl who was stabbed to death in her home.

The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, is charged with murdering Aria Thorpe at an address in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, on December 15.

A preliminary inquest held in January heard that Aria died from a single stab wound to her chest in the Mead Vale area of the town.

When he appeared at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, the boy pleaded not guilty to a single charge of murder.

Prosecuting, Ray Tully KC said the ‘matter is set for trial on June 15, with a time estimate of two weeks’.

Andrew Langdon KC represented the boy during the 20-minute hearing.

Judge Martin Picton said reporting restrictions preventing the identity of the defendant from being published would continue.

He was then remanded in custody.

News of the nine-year-old’s death led to an outpouring of tributes and support for Aria’s grieving family.

Aria’s father, Tom Thorpe, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, described her as a ‘brave, kind-hearted and beautiful, innocent soul’ in an emotional tribute.

Aria’s family on her mother’s side said she was ‘the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light and joy’.

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