The judge sentencing the killer of schoolgirl Ava White said she will not be naming the teenager.
Ava was knifed in the neck in Liverpool city centre and her then 14-year-old killer, aka Boy A, from South Liverpool, was not named for legal reasons during his trial. Representations were made to the court to name the now 15-year-old teen as a matter of public interest.
However, Justice Yip who is today sentencing the teenager at Liverpool Crown Court, said she refuses to lift the reporting restrictions. The court heard how Ava White's mum had also "expressed the hope that the defendant will be named in the interests of the public."
READ MORE: Updates as Ava White murderer sentenced for killing schoolgirl
The judge said Boy A had been "subject to some threats” while in custody. She added Merseyside Police "expressed concern" about the risk of "physical and emotional" to the defendant and his family.
Justice Yip said: "The mother of Ava White has expressed the hope that the defendant will be named in the interests of the public. The application is opposed on behalf of the defendant and prosecution.
“The prosecution first sought the views of Merseyside Police, who highlighted significant community tensions and expressed concern about the risk of physical and emotional harm to the defendant and his family. I must strike a fair balance between the interests of the child and the wider public interest.
“The welfare of the child must be given great weight, but will not always trump other considerations.” Justice Yip said there was “strong local and national interest in the case”.
She added: “I entirely understand the desire of Ava’s family that the defendant is publicly identified. The defendant’s mother highlights her concerns about his welfare and the impact upon his family. She is concerned for his safety and mental health.”
It was suggested by the defence that the lifting of reporting restrictions could result in “serious injury” to the defendant. Concluding, the judge told the court: “This offence has given rise to a very high level of interest.
“I well understand why Ava’s family wants him to be named. In this case, there are real and immediate concerns for the defendant if his identity becomes more widely known.
“Having considered all the circumstances, I have concluded that the public interest is outweighed by the need to safeguard the welfare of the defendant. There is evidence that the authorities harbour a genuine concern to safeguard him.
“I take into account the safety and welfare of his family. I refuse the application for an excepting direction.”
Boy A stabbed the 12-year-old with a flick knife after an argument about him filming her on Snapchat. Prosecutors alleged the teen laughed and ran away.
They said he ditched his knife, designer coat and mobile phone in a "cover up", then took selfies, got butter for crumpets and played Call of Duty. Boy A gave a false alibi to police and blamed another boy for killing Ava, before changing his story and claiming he acted in self-defence.
The teen said he "didn't mean to" stab the schoolgirl and was "trying to get her away from me". He said he thought she was a boy, who might be armed, and feared she would "batter" him.
A jury found him guilty of murder after two hours and eight minutes of deliberation and a 12-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Some members of Ava's family roared and cheered, with shouts of "yes" and "get in", when the verdict was returned. Others burst into tears and some apologised for the reaction.
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