Boy, 15, appears in court over murder of girl, 9
⚖️ Teenager in Court Charged with Murder of Nine-Year-Old Aria Thorpe
A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe in Weston-super-Mare. The girl was found dead at a property in Lime Close on Monday evening, 15 December, having suffered a single stab wound.
The teenage defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. During the brief hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, address, and date of birth.
Court Proceedings and Police Investigation
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Remand: District Judge Nicholas Wattam remanded the juvenile into youth detention accommodation.
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Next Appearance: The boy is scheduled to appear at Bristol Crown Court this Friday, 19 December.
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Arrest: The suspect was arrested in the nearby Worle area shortly after emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 6:10 pm on Monday.
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Forensics: A police cordon remains at Lime Close as forensic teams and officers continue their house-to-house inquiries.
Community Impact and Tributes
The death of such a young girl has left the local community in North Somerset "shocked and horrified."
Superintendent Jen Appleford of Avon and Somerset Police expressed the gravity of the tragedy:
"It is impossible to adequately describe how traumatic the past 36 hours have been for Aria’s family... The tragic loss of such a young girl has caused a huge amount of shock and upset, with there being a profound sense of loss felt throughout the community."
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Support for Schools: The police and North Somerset Council are working closely with local schools to provide support to children and families affected by the news.
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Political Reaction: Dan Aldridge, the local MP, described the event as a "completely heartbreaking tragedy," noting that the community is mourning and seeking answers.
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Local Tributes: Lee Hutchinson, chairman of the local rugby team Hornets RFC, said the region was "deeply saddened," adding that "to lose a young life is heartbreaking, and the consequences are felt throughout our entire region."
Evidence gathering is expected to continue for several days. Police have urged anyone with concerns or information to speak with officers at the scene.
