A 15-YEAR-OLD boy is set to face trial next year accused of murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe in Weston-Super-Mare.
The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (December 19) to face a murder charge.
During a brief hearing, the teen – appearing via video link – spoke only to confirm his name, before being told by
Judge Peter Blair KC, Recorder of Bristol, that he faced a provisional trial date of June 15 next year, with the proceedings set to last two weeks.
He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court on Monday 16 March.
The boy was charged following Aria’s death at a property in Lime Close, Weston, on Monday evening (December 15).
Police were called to a property at around 6.10pm, where paramedics were treating the nine-year-old, who sadly died at the scene.
A post-mortem later confirmed she had died as a result of a single stab wound.
Her family has paid tribute to the “beautiful soul”, saying their “hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible”.
Aria’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.
“The loss of Aria has devastated us beyond words. Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible. As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.
“We are truly touched by the lovely messages we have received from friends and the local community over recent days. It has meant an awful lot to us all.
“We politely ask that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl.”
Aria’s father, Tom Thorpe, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us. How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
“How I’ll long to hear you asking me to test you with maths, ‘numbers’ as you called it, to entertain you when you get bored with the iPad. How sad it’s going to be not making your buttery crackers, grapes and a yoghurt for your breakfast.
“You were such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul. You always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness. You always found it so easy to show your affection to others and ensure others around you were happy and never bored!
“I’ll never ever forget our time in Disneyland as a family; seeing your face light up when we were watching the princess show was a picture that will last forever in our minds.
“Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you. We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
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