The family of Aria Thorpe have broken their silence following the acquittal of a teenager charged with her murder. Aria, aged nine, tragically died from a knife wound sustained at her home in Weston-super-Mare on December 15.
A 16-year-old boy, who was 15 at the time of the incident, faced charges of murder and manslaughter but was found not guilty at Bristol Crown Court on June 25. During the trial, the court heard the boy claimed the stabbing was accidental during play-fighting, stating he had intended only to “scare” Aria while mimicking fencing with a kitchen knife.
Aria’s family expressed deep anguish and frustration at the verdict. Her aunt, Katie Thorpe, released a heartfelt statement on Facebook, questioning the justice system and the message the verdict sends in a society grappling with rising knife crime. She said: “Aria was only 9 years old with her whole future ahead. Instead, we now live every day with an unending pain. Our family has effectively been handed a life sentence, whilst the person responsible walks free.”
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Aria’s father, Tom Thorpe, also voiced his anger and disbelief, contrasting legal consequences for negligent driving with the lack of punishment following his daughter’s death. He condemned the defendant’s actions of fleeing the scene without seeking help and later boasting about the incident.
The court was told the boy did not check on Aria nor alert anyone after the stabbing but instead walked to a nearby railway station, telling others what had happened before being arrested on a train. The family’s uncle, Sam Thorpe, lamented the failure of the justice system and warned the verdict could encourage others to believe they can evade accountability.
Detective Inspector Neil Meade paid tribute to Aria’s memory, acknowledging the courage of her grieving family throughout the trial. He emphasized that the jury, after carefully considering all evidence, found the boy not guilty of murder and manslaughter. Due to legal restrictions, the boy’s identity remains protected.
Following the verdict, trial judge Mrs Justice O’Farrell thanked the jury for their service and sensitivity in handling this emotionally difficult case.