Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were teenagers when they brutally murdered 16-year-old Brianna Ghey by stabbing her 28 times in a park in Warrington, Cheshire. They had shown a shared fascination with violence and had been planning the murder for weeks. Jenkinson was given a minimum term of 22 years before parole, and Ratcliffe received a minimum term of 20 years. Both sentences were under review for being unduly lenient but were ultimately deemed acceptable by the Attorney General and will not be referred to the Court of Appeal.
During the trial, it was revealed that Jenkinson and Ratcliffe had previously discussed carrying out similar acts of violence and had made plans to target other victims before meeting Brianna. Jenkinson was described as having a particular interest in watching torture videos and dark web content, while Ratcliffe had a privileged upbringing, with both coming from seemingly normal backgrounds. Despite this, they both exhibited disturbing behavior and a shared desire to commit acts of violence.
Jenkinson and Ratcliffe had a twisted relationship where they egged each other on in their violent plans. Jenkinson admitted to stabbing Brianna multiple times during the attack, showing a deep satisfaction and excitement in the act of killing. Their obsession with violence extended beyond Brianna, as they had discussed targeting other potential victims and had even created a hit list. Their mutual support and encouragement in carrying out the murder point to a disturbing and dangerous relationship.
One particularly chilling aspect of the case was Jenkinson’s self-proclaimed identification as a satanist and her jokes about killing and torture. Both teenagers had displayed a callous disregard for human life and had disturbingly detailed conversations about inflicting pain and death on others. Their shared descent into violence and their fixation on carrying out acts of brutality highlight the dangerous dynamic between them and the extent of their depravity.
Despite their young age, Jenkinson and Ratcliffe were found guilty of a premeditated and heinous act of murder. The fact that they had planned the killing and derived excitement from the act itself, as well as their lack of remorse or empathy, underscored the severity of the crime. The decision not to refer their sentences to the Court of Appeal reflects the belief that the minimum terms handed down were appropriate given the brutal nature of the murder and the danger they posed to society.
The case of Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe serves as a chilling reminder of the capacity for extreme violence within seemingly ordinary individuals. The disturbing details of their plans, their lack of empathy, and their fascination with violence paint a picture of two young people who were capable of unspeakable acts. The decision not to review their sentences highlights the gravity of their crimes and the need for justice to be served in cases of such heinous brutality.
