A 16-year-old boy has been acquitted of murder and manslaughter by a jury at Bristol Crown Court following the death of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. Aria died after being stabbed once in the chest at a house in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset.
Court Verdict
The jury delivered the not guilty verdict on June 25, 2026, after deliberating on evidence presented during the trial. The defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, had been charged with murder and manslaughter in connection with the incident.
Incident Details
Aria Thorpe suffered a single stab wound to the chest at a residential property in Weston-super-Mare. Emergency services were called, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact circumstances leading to the stabbing were contested during the trial.
Legal Proceedings
The trial at Bristol Crown Court heard testimony from witnesses and experts. The prosecution argued that the boy intended to cause serious harm, while the defense maintained that the incident was not deliberate. After considering all evidence, the jury found the defendant not guilty on both counts.
Reaction
The verdict has drawn attention to the case, with Aria’s family expressing their devastation. A statement from the family said: "Our beautiful Aria was taken from us in a senseless act. We are heartbroken by the loss and the outcome of the trial." The boy’s legal team declined to comment.
Ongoing Coverage
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
