Teen killers sentenced to life for Snapchat murder

Two female teenagers have been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years for the torture and murder of a vulnerable woman in her own home.

After a seven-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, two female teenagers have been jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment for the murder of an alcoholic woman at her home in Hartlepool.

The teenagers, who are now 15 but were 13 and 14 at the time of the murder, cannot be named for legal reasons.

On 8 December 2014, they carried out a “sustained and brutal” attack on Angela Wrightson, 39, which involved the victim sustaining in excess of 100 injuries – 80 of which were to her face – over the course of five hours.

The next day, Ms. Wrightson’s landlord found her semi-naked body covered with grit and shards of glass in her living room.

The court heard that the teenagers attended Ms. Wrightson’s home on Stephen Street to get her to buy them alcohol and cigarettes, as she had done in the past.

They subsequently used 14 different items – including a television, printer, coffee table, shovel and a wooden stick laced with screws – to carry out what the judge described as a “cowardly” attack on her, which included “gratuitous degradation.”

The teenagers posed for ‘selfies’ during the attack and one posted a picture of an injured Ms. Wrightson on the social media site, Snapchat.

After the attack, the pair called the police saying they were lost and asked for a lift home.

Mr. Justice Globe ruled in favour of keeping a reporting restriction in place banning the identification of the teenagers despite media requests that it be lifted.

Following reports that the older teenager has attempted suicide several times since her arrest, he said that the teenagers posed a “real and immediate risk” to their lives.

Hartlepool Borough Council stated that the Teeside Safeguarding Adults Board will conduct an independent safeguarding adult review in connection with Ms. Wrightson.

The Hartlepool Safeguarding Children Board will carry out independent serious case reviews in respect of the two teenagers.

The younger of the two teenagers, who was 13 at the time, is believed to be the second youngest female to be involved in a murder in the UK.

In 1968, 11-year old Mary Bell strangled two children aged three and four and was sentenced to life in detention after being found guilty of manslaughter.

In 1980, she was released on licence and issued a new identity.

Fountain Solicitors have a dedicated, experienced and committed team specialising in cases where the rights of the individual are infringed by the state. We represent clients in London, Birmingham, Manchester, throughout the West Midlands and abroad who have been affected by anti-terrorism legislation.

If you need advice, assistance or representation with any issue concerning national security or civil liberties, please contact us on 01922 645 429 and ask to speak to Natalia Garcia or email ngarcia@fountainsolicitors.com.

Related Posts

Make an enquiry