A 15-year-old adolescent accused of the homicide of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe is scheduled to face trial in June of the following year. The teenager, who remains unidentified due to being a minor, appeared in Bristol Crown Court through a video link last Friday. The defendant, currently held in a youth detention facility, only spoke to confirm his identity during a brief hearing presided over by Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol. The trial has been tentatively set for June 15, 2026, with an estimated duration of two weeks.
Aria was tragically discovered deceased with a single stab wound at a residence in Lime Close, located in the Mead Vale area of Weston-super-Mare, shortly before 6:10 p.m. on a Monday. The teenage suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter in the nearby Worle vicinity.
Represented by Charley Pattison, the teenager’s defense, and with Ray Tully KC appearing for the prosecution, the defendant’s father was present in the public gallery during the court proceedings. The next scheduled court appearance for the teenager is on March 16, 2026.
Just a fortnight before the tragic incident, Aria had celebrated her ninth birthday with a K-pop Demon Hunters-themed party. The evening before her untimely demise, she joyfully discussed her Christmas wish list with her closest friend.
Described as a “lovely little girl” by the mother of her best friend, Tamara Taylor, 40, emotionally shared, “Aria was a delightful little girl, precocious for her age. She adored dressing up and engaging in typical little girl activities. She and my daughter were inseparable, constantly playing together and visiting each other’s homes every evening. Mollie was aware that something had occurred at Aria’s home the previous night, prompting us to send her to her grandmother’s for safety.”
Aria resided in a three-bedroom home provided by a housing association with her mother, Victoria Hull, 36, who works as a hairdresser.
Previously, Superintendent Jen Appleford stated, “Our investigation has been swiftly progressing since Monday evening, and we can confirm that a 15-year-old youth residing in Weston-super-Mare has been charged with murder. He is scheduled to appear in court later today. This remains an exceedingly challenging period for Aria’s family, whom we are supporting and keeping informed about our inquiries. The past 36 hours have been immensely traumatic for them, and we strongly emphasize their desire for privacy.”
“The tragic loss of such a young girl has left the community deeply shocked and saddened. We are collaborating closely with various agencies and schools in the Weston area to ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support.”
“We appreciate the understanding shown by local residents as we conduct our investigations in the area. Our efforts will continue in the coming days, and individuals are encouraged to approach officers at the cordon if they have any concerns.”