This morning, at Cheshire’s Coroners Court in Warrington, a pre-inquest hearing began the process of determining what evidence will be needed for the full inquest into Brianna Ghey’s murder, scheduled for later this year.
The transgender teenager was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife at Culcheth Linear Park near Warrington in February of last year.
Her killers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were jailed for 22 and 20 years respectively after a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Today’s pre-inquest hearing dealt with matters such as witnesses to be called, as well as the need for statements to be collected ahead of the inquest itself, which is currently listed to start on the 23rd of October this year.
Addressing representatives on the front benches, Senior Coroner – Ms Devonish – asked them to determine what evidence will be needed, in particular concerning Brianna’s welfare, and if Birchwood High School – the establishment attended by Scarlett Jenkinson and Brianna Ghey – was well-equipped enough to deal with their safeguarding needs.
Devonish said, “it’s matters around safeguarding that we’re going to be concerned with, and how Brianna came into contact with Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe.”
Esther Ghey – Brianna’s mother – was present, but when asked, said she has nothing she wished to add.
A further pre-inquest hearing has been scheduled for August 9.
