A 16-year-old boy has been acquitted of both murder and manslaughter charges regarding the death of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. The verdict was delivered by a jury at Bristol Crown Court today. The defendant, who is legally anonymous due to his minor status, faced accusations following the incident in Weston-super-Mare on December 15, 2025.
Expert testimony during the trial confirmed that Aria died from a single stab wound to the chest at her residence. In his testimony, the accused stated that the pair were playfighting when the injury occurred by accident. He explained that he was waving a knife while pretending to fence in an attempt to make her flinch. Following the incident, the boy admitted to leaving the home and heading toward Worle Railway Station, claiming he was driven by fear and panic.
The family of the victim had previously remembered her as a lively and vibrant child. The case remains under active review as further updates become available.