Angela Wrightson murder trial: Teenager admits lying numerous times over happenings at house

One of the girls accused of murdering Angela Wrightson told how she lied numerous times in her initial police interview following her initial arrest, a court has heard.
Angela WrightsonAngela Wrightson
Angela Wrightson

Ms Wrightson was allegedly fatally attacked at her home in Hartlepool's Stephen Street in December 2014,

Two teenagers, aged 13 and 14 at the time, are standing trial at Leeds Crown Court.

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The 39-year-old had suffered more than 100 different injuries and was beaten with a variety of items, including a table, a television, printer and shovel, the court has heard.

The older girl, now aged 15, told the hearing under cross-examination from her co-accused's defence barrister, John Elvidge QC, that she had been "angry" with Ms Wrightson as she carried out phyisical violence against the alcoholic.

The girl said the younger defendant had been punching but "mainly stamping" on the victim while they were both in her home on the night of December 8.

The older girl admitted to the court that she had told police her and her co-accused had gone to Ms Wrightson's with the intention of borrowing a cigarette lighter from her, something which the girl now admits was "false".

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She also said in interview that she had moved items in the room to look for a lighter, something which she now accepts was untrue.

Mr Elvidge asked the girl: "Were you telling the police that lie to explain the way things had been moved in the house?" to which the defendant replied: "No."

"Because when I was in the interview I was panicking and I didn't know what to say," the older girl told the jury.

"That's why all of it is false."

Finishing his cross-examination of the girl, Mr Elvidge asked her:

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"Did you decide to blame (younger girl) for what you did at Angie's?" to which the girl replied: "No."

"Did you think by blaming (younger girl), you might be in less trouble?," he asked her.

The older girl replied: "I haven't blamed (younger girl).

"I've said what I've done and I've said what she has done."

Both girls cannot be named for legal reasons.

The trial continues.