Angela Wrightson murder: Teenage girls found guilty over brutal killing of Hartlepool woman

Two teenage girls have been found guilty of murdering 39-year-old Angela Wrightson in her Hartlepool home. The pair, aged 13 and 14 at the time of the killing, had faced a seven-week trial at Leeds Crown Court and received a guilty verdict by a jury on Tuesday (5 April).

Wrightson had been found by her landlord in December 2014 stripped down and with over 100 injuries inflicted on her bloodied body. The court heard how the two teenage girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, beat the woman to death with a variety of instruments, including a wooden stick, a computer printer and a coffee table. They also posted images mocking her on Snapchat.

The jury of eight women and four men were also told how shards of glass and gravel were even found strewn over Wrightson's private parts. Ash from burnt paper was also discovered inside her ear.

The pair, who are both now aged 15, accepted they were present at the time the injuries were inflicted but denied murder. The older girl said she struck Wrightson but only admitted to a charge of manslaughter.

The guilty verdict for murder saw them both break down in tears in the court room. The pair will return to be sentenced on Thursday.

The lengthy trial revealed how the girls subjected Wrightson to a "sustained and brutal" attack. The teenagers were said to be close friends and had been in local authority care.

The court heard that despite her demons, Wrightson was well liked in her community and would often give chocolates to young children and fed the local dogs. She was known locally as 'Alco Ange' due to her alcoholism.