XMAS LIGHTS KNIFING
Evil killer, 14, sobs as he’s found guilty of murdering Ava White, 12, and boasting ‘I’ll get away with it’ to cops
A 14-YEAR-OLD killer sobbed as he was found guilty of murdering Ava White after boasting that he'd "get away with it".
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stabbed Ava, 12, to death in Liverpool city centre just after 8.30pm on November 25 last year.
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The boy told cops he thought he would "get away with it" and said "shut up you nonce" to an officer as he was questioned.
He said he stabbed Ava but claimed he did so "accidentally" in self-defence as he tried to frighten her away.
The defendant admitted possessing the knife - which the court heard had a 7.5cm blade - but denied her murder and manslaughter.
But a jury today found the boy guilty of murder at Liverpool Crown Court.
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More than 20 members of Ava's family in the public gallery erupted into cheers as the jury read out their verdict.
The defendant, on videolink, put his head in his hands and sobbed before walking off screen.
During the trial - which lasted just over two weeks - the court heard Ava and her friends argued with the defendant and three of his friends after the boys recorded Snapchat videos of the group.
Ava and the defendant argued because he had filmed her without permission.
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Ava's friends said the boy "grinned" after stabbing her in School Lane and running away.
The defendant said he had wanted to "frighten her away" because he was scared she would "jump" him.
He told the jury: "I promise, I didn't mean to hit her."
After Ava was attacked, the defendant ran away, discarded his knife and took off his coat, which was later found in a wheelie bin, the court heard.
The youth was arrested at about 10.30pm on November 25 after initially telling his mother he was "not going the cells".
The jury in his trial heard edited transcripts of five police interviews carried out in the days following his arrest.
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At the end of his first interview, he told an officer: "Shut up you nonce."
He also referred to "smoking weed" in part of an interview which was not read to the jury.
During interviews he denied being in the city centre on the night of the killing, claimed another boy was responsible, gave numerous "no comment" answers, told police "I'm not bothered" and said "I don't f***ing know".
In his evidence, the teenager was asked why he had lied to police and he said he thought he would "get away with it".
He added: "I was scared I was going to go to jail."
The boy was accompanied by an intermediary throughout the trial, which he attended over video-link.
He was given a fidget toy which the jury was told could help him concentrate due to his attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The jury was shown CCTV of the boy running from the scene after Ava was stabbed.
They heard he discarded the knife and his coat, which was later found in a wheelie bin.
About 40 minutes after he injured Ava, the boy was contacted by his mother who told him police wanted to speak to him.
The jury heard a series of text messages sent between the boy and his mother, including one in which he said: "I'm not coming home. Not going the cells."
During his evidence, the teenager was asked why he had not agreed to give his phone to police.
He said: "Because they always take my phone.
"I have had a few phones took when I was in the police station."
In March, the boy's legal team contacted police to tell them the whereabouts of the knife he used to stab Ava.
He was asked in court why he wanted police to have that information and said: "Because I'm telling the truth and I didn't mean to do it."
The jury was out for two hours and eight minutes before returning the verdict.
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Mrs Justice Yip told the defendant: "In light of the jury's verdict, I think you know I can only impose a life sentence, but what I have to do is decide what the shortest amount of time that you will have to serve in custody is."
She adjourned the case for sentencing on July 11.
Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: "Today, our thoughts are clearly very much with the family of Ava White.
"Her mum and dad and sister are still completely devastated by what's happened to Ava and it has been heartbreaking for them to witness Ava's final moments during this court process.
"Since that dreadful night they have suffered immeasurable grief and sadness.
"Today, a 14-year-old boy has been convicted of her murder but the conclusion of this legal process by no means brings to an end their grief and suffering.
"I just wanted to take a few moments to thank the members of the public and Liverpool One staff who went to Ava's aid on that night, and also the paramedics and medical staff who did everything they could to save her life.
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"Also, from a Merseyside Police perspective, to thank the detectives and the Crown Prosecution Service who have worked tirelessly to bring this case to court.
"Ava's death has cruelly illustrated to us the devastation that can be caused by carrying and using knives and Merseyside Police will continue to work to combat knife crime."
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