Family sobs as fatal attack of Ava, 12, is shown in court
THE family of 12-year-old stab victim Ava White yesterday bravely sat through harrowing footage of the fatal attack again and again.
The courtroom filled with sobs as the video was played four times – twice in slow motion.
Ava suffered a fatal neck wound after arguing with a 14-year-old boy and his friends in Liverpool city centre last November.
Liverpool Crown Court was told the youth, known only as Boy A for legal reasons, smirked and ran away from the scene as Ava collapsed and later died.
The murder trial has heard how the row was sparked by Boy A filming Ava and her friends as they were larking about. The phone footage, taken without permission, was then shared on social media site Snapchat. Boy A denies mur“The der and manslaughter, claiming he acted in self-defence when Ava angrily approached him.
Police staff investigator Callum Suggit explained how a video clip showed Boy A’s group walking past Ava as she lay on the ground near a delicatessen.
Altercations
Boy A and his friend Boy C have their phones raised, apparently filming.
Mr Suggit said Boy A recorded Ava on Snapchat but then “altercations” could be seen between Ava and Boy A’s group – with her trying to grab Boy C’s phone.
CCTV footage from a camera at toiletries shop Lush was played in court.
Prosecutor Charlotte Newell QC said: CCTV shows Ava pushing Boy A.” Mr Suggit replied: “It does.” Footage showed the defendant backing away, before raising his hand in front of him, showing a ‘reflective object’.
Ms Newell said: “Microseconds later, Boy A is moving backwards around the edge of the group, with Ava following.”
Boy A is then seen with his right arm in front of him towards Ava, while she has “her arms outstretched” in his direction.
Seconds later Boy A is seen running away. Ava’s family, of Everton, Merseyside, also sobbed as an image was shown of her standing after the attack with her hands held to her neck.
The court was shown a picture of the knife allegedly used to stab the schoolgirl, which was later found discarded, and of the defendant’s coat found in a bin.
The trial continues.