Teenager Brianna Ghey's final eight-word text to her mum before she was killed has been read out in court today..
The transgender student, 16, was found dead on February 11 in Culcheth Linear Park, near Warrington, Cheshire, having been stabbed 28 times. The defendants, a girl, 16, identified only as X, and a boy, 16, identified only as Y, were both aged 15 at the time. Both deny murder.
In the third day of the trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors have heard a statement from Brianna's mum Esther Ghey. Read out by prosecutor Cheryl Mottram, Ms Ghey recalled how on the day she was killed, her daughter texted her saying: "I'm on the bus by myself, I'm scared."
Brianna has been described during proceedings as an anxious child. Esther said: "I replied 'well that's well good xx', as I was really proud of her. I don't think she ever saw it because it showed as being delivered, but it didn't turn blue." Esther also referred to how the family had hired a log cabin the previous month.
She said the holiday was around January 16 to 20, around the time of her partner and other daughter's birthdays. Brianna came later with Esther's mother. The following weekend, on January 28, the family went out to Warrington to celebrate her partner's birthday, but Brianna didn't come with them.
They went out at about 1pm and arrived back at about 3 or 4pm. Ms Ghey said: "I'm not aware that Brianna went out, she generally stays in at the weekend. But I know that she would sometimes spend time with Girl X. I think they also went to McDonald's."
Ms Ghey said she would often get home from work after Brianna so wasn't sure how often they met up. She said she was asked to recall an incident where Brianna was 'really sick'. She said Brianna was 'screaming and crying for me to help her'. Ms Ghey said: "She has never been like that before or like that since."
Speaking of the incident, Esther said: "I think it was some time the week beginning January 23. It was some time between January 23 and 27. "I remember coming home from work and Brianna and her sister were at home. Brianna would have been at school that day. I got home from work at about 6pm." She said she shouted up to Brianna in her bedroom and said 'hi', before hearing her start 'screaming'.
Ms Ghey said: "My initial thought was that she had self harmed and hurt herself." She said Brianna was 'rolling around in agony'. Ms Ghey said: "She was screaming in pain, saying 'I think I'm going to die'. It was quite frightening. I have never seen Brianna like that. She is not a sickly child."
Ms Ghey said Brianna was saying 'don't leave me, don't leave me'. She said Brianna then vomited. At first she thought Brianna may have 'eaten too many grapes which caused her to be ill'. She said Brianna was 'writhing around in pain'. Ms Ghey said she considered calling for an ambulance but that after she had been sick, Brianna appeared to be 'much better'.
She adds: "When the police came to my home on February 11 and informed me that Brianna had died, most of what they said was a blur." Ms Ghey said she told police that on February 11, Brianna had sent her a text saying 'I'm on the bus by myself, I'm scared'. She said: "I replied 'well that's well good xx', as I was really proud of her. "I don't think she ever saw it because it showed as being delivered, but it didn't turn blue."
The trial continues.