Teen accused of Angela Wrightson murder admits changing her story

The 14-year-old, who was 13 at the time Ms Wrightson was killed, signed a statement from her lawyers earlier this month saying she had hit her with a table after hearing evidence from forensic scientist and blood spatter expert Dr Gemma Escott.

Ms Wrightson was found partially clothed in her Hartlepool home by her landlord on the morning of Tuesday, December 9, 2014.

Dr Escott said examination of the younger girl's clothes, which contained Ms Wrightson's blood, suggested that she had attacked the victim.

The girl did not admit attacking Ms Wrightson in her initial police interview following her arrest.

In a statement from her lawyers, which she signed, the girl stated: "I had not told anyone about hitting Angela on the head with the table because after it had happened I thought it was wrong."

The girl now says that her "brain" told her to say that, following the evidence given in court by Dr Escott.

Under cross-examination from her co-accused's defence barrister, Jamie Hill QC, the girl was asked: "Why did you choose the table?"

The girl said: "Because of what she (Dr Escott) was saying."

The younger defendant now says she denies taking part in any assault on Ms Wrightson at her Stephen Street home.

Mr Hill asked her: "Are you blaming (older defendant) just to hide what you did?," to which she replied: "No."

Both girls say Ms Wrightson was alive when they left her home for the second time in the early hours of December 9.

The girl is due to be cross-examined by prosecutor Nicholas Campbell QC tomorrow.

The trial continues.