Hartlepool MP hits out at 'shocking' High Court decision to keep identities of Angela Wrightson's killers secret

A High Court judge ruled on Thursday, February 4, that the identity of the killers jailed for a minimum of 15 years in 2016 should never be made public because of a significant risk of them harming themselves.

But Mr Hill described Angela’s murder as ‘gruesome and heinous’ and said their names should have been made public now they are over 18.

Angela, 39, died after a horrific and prolonged attack at her home in Stephen Street, Hartlepool, in December 2014.

The two girls, who were aged just 13 and 14 at the time, posed for Snapchat selfies during the attack and posted a picture on social media shortly afterwards while in the back of a police van.

Mr Hill said: “The murder of Angela Wrightson shook Hartlepool as the details were made public and this shock still resonates today.

“To discover that the perpetrators of such a gruesome and heinous crime have been granted life-long anonymity is frankly shocking and disappointing.

"While I understand the need to protect the identities of minors, once these criminals are of age, in most circumstances people should be made aware of their crime as a matter of public safety.

"The same level of privacy would not be extended to murderers who commit their crimes as adults.

“I know many people in Hartlepool will be as disappointed as I am by this decision today.”

Subsequent reviews concluded Angela’s death could not have been predicted and therefore not prevented.

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