Teenager faces life sentence for murdering 12-year-old Ava White

The teenager, appearing via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court, put his head in his hands as a jury found him guilty on Tuesday after two hours and eight minutes of deliberations.

He fatally stabbed Ava in the neck in Liverpool city centre on November 25 following a row over a Snapchat video.

Members of her family erupted into cheers as the verdict was returned at the end of a trial which lasted just over two weeks.

Mrs Justice Yip told the boy: “In light of the jury’s verdict, I think you know I can only impose a life sentence, but what I have to do is decide what the shortest amount of time that you will have to serve in custody is.”

She adjourned the sentencing until July 11 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

She also warned the family the court would take a different approach because the case involved a child.

She told them: “I’m sure whatever sentence I decide upon, after careful reflection, I’m afraid it will seem far too short.”

One woman on the jury wiped away a tear as the judge discharged them and excused them from further jury service.

The boy had denied Ava’s murder and claimed he accidentally stabbed the schoolgirl in the neck in self-defence.

He told the court he wanted to “frighten her away” after an altercation in Liverpool city centre on the evening of November 25 last year.

During the trial, the court heard Ava and her friends became involved in an argument with the defendant and three of his friends after the boys recorded Snapchat videos of the group.

Friends of Ava said the boy “grinned” after stabbing her in School Lane and running away.

The defendant told the jury: “I promise, I didn’t mean to hit her.”

The court heard that after Ava was struck to the neck the defendant ran away, discarded his knife and took off his coat, which was later found in a wheelie bin.

CCTV showed him and his friends in a shop where the defendant took a selfie and the group bought butter, which he said was for crumpets.

He then went to a friend’s home and when his mother contacted him because police wanted to speak to him, he told her he was playing a computer game.

After he was arrested, just after 10.30pm, he initially told police he had not been in the city centre but in later interviews blamed another boy for the stabbing.

Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said Ava’s family were still “completely devastated”.

She said: “Today, a 14-year-old boy has been convicted of her murder but the conclusion of this legal process by no means brings to an end their grief and suffering.

“Ava’s death has cruelly illustrated to us the devastation that can be caused by carrying and using knives and Merseyside Police will continue to work to combat knife crime.”

Liverpool Crown Court

Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “Today, our thoughts are clearly very much with the family of Ava White.

“Her mum and dad and sister are still completely devastated by what’s happened to Ava and it has been heartbreaking for them to witness Ava’s final moments during this court process.

“Since that dreadful night they have suffered immeasurable grief and sadness.

“Today, a 14-year-old boy has been convicted of her murder but the conclusion of this legal process by no means brings to an end their grief and suffering.

“I just wanted to take a few moments to thank the members of the public and Liverpool One staff who went to Ava’s aid on that night, and also the paramedics and medical staff who did everything they could to save her life.

“Also, from a Merseyside Police perspective, to thank the detectives and the Crown Prosecution Service who have worked tirelessly to bring this case to court.

“Ava’s death has cruelly illustrated to us the devastation that can be caused by carrying and using knives and Merseyside Police will continue to work to combat knife crime.”