The mother of a nine-year-old girl testified that her daughter was in a cheerful mood after a successful dance class before she was allegedly fatally stabbed by a teenage boy. Aria Thorpe tragically passed away after being stabbed in the chest at her residence in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, on December 15 of the previous year.
A 16-year-old boy, whose identity is protected due to his age, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter in connection with Aria’s death. Aria’s mother, Victoria Hull, known as Tori, recounted in a statement to the jury at Bristol Crown Court that she had assisted her daughter in getting ready for school on the fateful morning.
Following a mix-up about her daughter’s dance class, Ms. Hull retrieved Aria later in the day. Aria expressed her desire to stay for the class, prompting Ms. Hull’s return at 4.30pm. They had a pleasant time together, with Aria mentioning her enjoyment of the day and indulging in mini-pizzas from Aldi. While at home, Aria was happily eating pizza and watching YouTube.
Ms. Hull described the evening, mentioning how she used scissors to cut Aria’s pizza, and Aria, in a good mood, wanted the last Oreo after her meal. Ms. Hull then left for work at Pontins to earn extra money for Christmas. However, she was urgently contacted and informed about Aria’s situation, leading her to rush to a friend’s house where she learned of the tragic news.
The court was informed that after the stabbing, the teenage boy went to a nearby railway station and disclosed the incident to a group of children there. One of the children, a 14-year-old girl, promptly called the police and directed them to the platform where the boy was waiting to board a train.
During the call to the police, the girl relayed the boy’s admission of stabbing Aria and her being found deceased. The girl further described the boy as visibly anxious and shaking during their interaction. The boy was eventually apprehended by the police at the train station.
The trial, overseen by Mrs. Justice O’Farrell, is ongoing as further details surrounding Aria’s tragic incident unfold.
