Man who found nine-year-old Aria Thorpe slumped on the floor after she had been stabbed said his first thought she was 'messing around', court hears

In Weston-super-Mare, a passerby named Ollie Sheppard discovered nine-year-old Aria Thorpe lying unconscious on the floor after she had been stabbed, initially believing she was just playing. The court heard Sheppard's shock and confusion as he called out her name, thinking she was joking. This tragic incident highlights the devastating impact of violent crime on innocent children and the community's deep sorrow and concern over such senseless violence. The case underscores the urgent need for community safety measures and awareness.