The family of a teenage girl stabbed to death in Warrington over the weekend have now paid an emotional tribute to her.
Brianna Ghey, a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, was found by members of the public as she lay wounded on a path in Culcheth Linear Park at around 3:13pm on Saturday 11 February, and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services a short while later.
She was just 16 years old.
Detectives from Cheshire Police confirmed this morning that a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, both from the Culcheth area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, and currently remain in custody assisting police with their investigation.
Now, Brianna’s family have paid an emotional tribute to to their “much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister”.
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In a statement released today, the heartbroken family said: “She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty, and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless, and one of a kind.
“The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.
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“We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this extremely difficult time.”
Emma Mills – who is the headteacher at Brianna’s school, Birchwood Community High School – said the school and community are “shocked and truly devastated” by Brianna’s death, adding: “This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many, and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community.”
Culcheth Linear Park / Credit: Google Maps
Cheshire Police has also issued a public appeal for information today.
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Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans has confirmed that “a number of enquiries in relation to this incident are underway” but “at this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the circumstances surrounding Brianna’s death are hate related.”
“We are doing all that we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened,” he added.
Appealing for information, DS Evans continued: “I would ask anyone who has any information, no matter how big or small, that they believe could help with our investigation to get in touch. We are also keen for people and businesses within the local community to check any CCTV or dashcam footage for anything that may aid our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1476832 or reporting it via the website.
Alternatively, information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Cheshire Police
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Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals / Credit: Piqsels | Wikimedia Commons
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.
Man charged in connection with broad daylight murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged in connection with the tragic murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year.
Michelle Hodgkinson had been walking along Edge Lane in the Droylsden area of Tameside on Friday 2 June 2023 when she was approached by a male and stabbed to death in broad daylight.
The 51-year-old had was said to have just been going about her day, and was walking to meet her mum so that she could take her shopping when the horrific incident occurred, and although emergency services rushed to the scene, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead a short while later.
— Tameside South and West Police (GMP) (@GMPTamesideS) June 4, 2023
But now, following a lengthy investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Major Incident Team, a man has been charged with murder in connection with Michelle’s death.
Paul Hughes, 29, was yesterday (Tuesday 7 May) charged with murder, GMP has confirmed, and he has been remanded in a secure mental health hospital, where he remains under treatment.
He will next appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates court on Thursday 6 June.
Commenting on the charging of Mr Hughes, Detective Inspector Danny Lee, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, took a moment to stress to the Greater Manchester public that Michelle’s death is a “very rare type of incident”.
#CHARGED | We have charged a man with murder after a lengthy investigation and continue to appeal for any further evidence.
This was after Michelle Hodgkinson was sadly stabbed and died from her injuries in #Droylsden back in June 2023.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 7, 2024
DI Lee explained: “We understand this tragedy may have increased the community concerns in relation to knife crime, but we would like to stress this is a very rare type of incident. However, at the heart of this incident, a loved one has been torn away, and our thoughts remain with Michelle’s family, whom we continue to support with specialist officers.”
Following Mr Hughes’ charging, GMP has also reissued its public appeal for information, and is urging any witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1353 of 02/06/2023, or information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
13th February 2023 
