Overview
- A jury at Bristol Crown Court returned unanimous not-guilty verdicts for murder and manslaughter on Thursday, June 25, 2026, ending the criminal trial.
- Home Office pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery told jurors Aria died from a single chest wound about 3.2cm wide and 7.5–8cm deep that penetrated her heart.
- Prosecutors showed a 21cm kitchen knife in court and argued it could have produced the injury while the defence said the stab was accidental during an attempt to 'scare' the child by 'fencing.'
- The defendant told jurors he washed the knife, left the house and went to Worle railway station where he told peers the death was an 'accident' and was arrested after a 999 call.
- The judge thanked jurors and ordered the teenager to be processed for release while family members voiced grief and anger and the forensic and witness evidence remain on the public record.