A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been found guilty of killing Ava White, a 12-year-old schoolgirl, in Liverpool. The boy stabbed White to death because of a Snapchat video, BBC reported on Tuesday.
A group of teenagers, including the 14-year-old, made a recording of White and some of her friends for a Snapchat video. White’s group wanted the recorders to delete the videos, an argument ensued and the 14-year-old stabbed White.
The teenager told Liverpool Crown Court that he stabbed White in self defence. He refused to admit to outright murder but pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.
The teenager admitted possessing the knife which the court heard had a blade 3 inches long. He said he did not intend to stab or harm White.
The 14-year-old told the court that he wanted to “frighten her away”. He said that someone in White’s group threatened to stab them if they failed to delete the video.
A child’s identity, when charged with a crime is not disclosed outside the court in the UK. The Crown Prosecution Service applies this law when dealing with persons between 10 and 17 years.
White’s killing occurred in Liverpool city centre after a Christmas lights switch-on 2021.
“Knowing he had stabbed her, his behaviour is of someone who is, at best, utterly unconcerned, at worst, rather pleased with himself, as if he feels big,” prosecutor Charlotte Newell said.
CCTV footage of the 14-year-old and his friends showed events after he stabbed White. They went into a shop where they bought butter, which he said was for crumpets. The teen later arranged his hair to pose for a selfie.
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