The mother of a nine-year-old girl recounted how her daughter was in high spirits following a dance class before tragically being stabbed to death by a teenage boy, a court was told.
Aria Thorpe lost her life after being stabbed in the chest at her residence in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, on December 15 last year.
The 16-year-old male accused, who is unnamed due to being a minor, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter related to Aria’s demise.
During a testimony at Bristol Crown Court, Aria’s mother, Victoria Hull, also known as Tori, shared that she assisted her daughter with getting ready for school on the fateful day.
Upon picking Aria up at 3.10pm, Ms. Hull realized her daughter had a dance class scheduled, so she returned at 4.30pm as per Aria’s request.
Describing the events of the day, Ms. Hull mentioned, “Aria had a really good day. We went to Aldi and bought mini-pizzas and toppings. We got back home at 4.45pm, and Aria enjoyed her pizza while watching YouTube on the TV.”
Ms. Hull recalled cutting Aria’s pizza with scissors, leading Aria to eat with her hands. She added, “Aria appeared cheerful and content after her dance class. She even asked for the last Oreo, expressing love before I left for work.”
Heading out to work at Pontins for an evening shift to earn extra money for Christmas, Ms. Hull later learned of the tragic news regarding Aria and rushed to a friend’s house upon being contacted by the authorities.
Previously, the court heard that after the incident, the teenage suspect went to a nearby railway station and confessed to a group of children about the stabbing. One of the children, a 14-year-old girl, promptly alerted the police, leading to the boy’s arrest.
The trial, overseen by Mrs. Justice O’Farrell, is ongoing.