Girls of 13 and 14 ‘ took selfie as they battered woman to death’
TWO girls aged 13 and 14 tortured and battered a frail woman to death and took mocking selfies with their victim, a court heard.
The teenagers allegedly inflicted more than 100 wounds on 39- yearold Angela Wrightson before they “heaped indignities” on her by stripping her half naked and defiling her body.
The court was told that in a seven- hour attack they smashed a television over their victim’s head and beat her with a stick studded with screws, a kettle, a pan and a ceramic vase.
Throughout the savage attack, the court heard, Miss Wrightson – described as small and thin – pleaded for her life, sobbing: “Please don’t, stop, I’m scared.”
The girls were under the care of the local authority. While covered in blood they tried to call one of their carers and a taxi firm before dialling the police and asking for a lift home.
During the call the girls were giggling so much the operator asked: “What’s so funny?”
It was alleged the pair left Miss Wrightson’s house laughing, while the younger girl took a picture of her friend in the back of a police van and posted it on social media site Snapchat, saying: “Me and ( name) in the back on the bizzie van again.”
Leeds Crown Court was told the girls had also paused their brutal attack in Hartlepool, Co Durham, to take a selfie with Miss Wrightson’s bruised face as a backdrop.
The girls, who cannot be named, deny murdering alcoholic Miss Wrightson in an attack that allegedly began at 7.30pm on December 8 2014 and finished at 2.56am the following day.
The court was told the girls had let themselves into Ms Wrightson’s unlocked home before launching the attack and taking pictures of themselves at the crime scene. Nicholas Campbell QC, prosecuting, said: “There were well over 100 injuries on all parts of her body.
“She had been assaulted in 12 separate locations within and around that room. A number of implements were used.”
While at the house the younger girl made a phone call to a friend and was heard saying: “Go on ( name of older girl). Smash her head in. Bray her. ******* kill her.”
As the girl spoke there was laughter in the background, the court heard.
The trial continues.