A boy and a girl, both 16, have been found guilty of the murder of teenager Brianna Ghey in a park in Culcheth, near Warrington on February 11.
The teenagers, known as Girl X and Boy Y to protect their identities, were found unanimously guilty by a jury at Manchester crown court today.
The pair, who were 15 at the time of the attack, blamed each other for the murder of Ghey.
The jury deliberated for a total of four hours and 40 minutes.
Brianna Ghey from Birchwood in Warrington was found on a path in Linear Park in February
PA
They showed no emotion when the verdict was delivered.
Justice Yip, told the pair they would be sentenced to life in prison however their minimum terms are yet to be decided.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) gave a statement on the convictions in the Brianna Ghey murder trial: "This has been one of the most distressing cases the Crown Prosecution Service has had to deal with.
"The planning, the violence and the age of the killers is beyond belief.
The handwritten murder plan was found in the bedroom of girl X
CPS
“Brianna Ghey was subjected to a frenzied and ferocious attack and was stabbed 28 times in broad daylight in a public park.
“Girl X and Boy Y appear to have been a deadly influence on each other and turned what may have started out as dark fantasies about murder into a reality."
The two sent countless WhatsApp messages where they plotted to kill Ghey, as well as others.
The CPS described the messages, which provided them with a detailed planning of the attack, as "very difficult to read".
The pair showed no emotion when the verdict was delivered
PA
“The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder for both of the defendants. They were both equally responsible in planning the killing and carrying it out. In the trial, the defendants tried to blame each other to absolve themselves. The Jury has clearly seen their explanations for the lies that they were," the statement continued.
“This has been a difficult prosecution not least because two very young people were on trial for the most serious offence known to criminal law. It has involved using a number of measures to ensure that the defendants could participate fully in the trial and enable them to give their evidence.
“The Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank the family of Brianna Ghey for the courage and dignity that they have shown throughout these proceedings. We hope today’s verdict brings some solace, and our thoughts and sympathies remain with them at this difficult time.”
A sentencing hearing is due to take place in the new year.