'A robbery of justice': Aria Thorpe's father reveals nine-year-old's siblings now fear boy cleared of killing her could turn up at their door

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:33, 27 June 2026 | Updated: 11:39, 27 June 2026 The father of Aria Thorpe has revealed her siblings now fear the boy cleared of killing her could turn up at their door, as he said the verdicts delivered in court this week are 'a robbery of justice'. Aria, nine, died after being stabbed in her chest at her home in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, on December 15 last year. On Thursday a 16-year-old boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter by a jury, allowing him to walk free from court. Aria's father, Tom Thorpe, has now told the Daily Mail the family have been left feeling robbed of any justice after their 'incomprehensible' loss and her sister fears the boy could approach their home. 'We feel that the trial was a robbery of justice. We don't understand how you can stand up in court, admit to stabbing Aria, claiming she wasn't to blame, it was me 100 per cent but walk out the court a free man,' he said. 'Aria's sister has mentioned that she is now worried that there is a potential that Aria's killer could just turn up at their door.  'There are no restrictions to stop him travelling anywhere, she said it's just not right that he is allowed to do that.  'How do we tell our two eldest children who are 14 and 11, who know right from wrong, that Aria has been killed and the boy who killed her got away with it?  Aria Thorpe, who died after being stabbed in the heart, pictured with father Tom Thorpe and his partner Sophie Nine-year-old Aria Thorpe was stabbed to death at home on December 15 last year  Aria's father Tom (both pictured), described the verdicts as a 'robbery of justice' and said Aria's sister fears the boy cleared of killing her could approach their family home 'We can't get our heads around any of it. What example does this set to children across the country?' The boy's trial at Bristol Crown Court heard evidence from the teenager, who said he had wanted to 'scare' Aria and picked up the knife, which had a 21cm blade, from near the kitchen sink before going into the lounge.  'Aria stood up and I was waving around the knife. Then at some point I decided that I was going to try to make her flinch and scare her, to get a reaction. I leaned forward, acted like I was fencing.' The defendant said Aria had been in front of him at the time. 'She had almost taken a step forward but without taking a step forward because before she could, it happened,' he said. 'I don't know what she was doing. 'The knife went into her. Then I pulled it out. I didn't know what to do. She put her hand to her chest.' The teenager then left the scene without checking whether Aria was still alive or calling for help, the court heard. He went to a nearby railway station – where he told a group of children that her death was an 'accident'. One of them phoned the police and told the call handler the boy 'said that he stabbed her and she is dead on the living room floor'. The boy later told officers: 'I didn't use a lot of force, but it was a big knife. I don't know why I did it, it just happened… I walked over and stabbed her. She fell to the floor.' He was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter by a jury on Thursday.  'Bubbly' Aria enjoyed her last day of her life at a dance class and eating pizza hours before she was stabbed  Aria, pictured as a young girl with Mr Thorpe's partner and 'rock' Sophie, was described by her family today as 'full of energy, curiosity, innocence and happiness' Speaking to the Daily Mail, Aria's father said: 'Life without Aria is incomprehensible. Aria and my eldest daughter come part and parcel with each other. Now, my eldest comes to stay for the weekend and when Aria doesn't follow her through the door the excruciating reality dawns on us all.  'She and Aria were extremely close, Aria saw her as her role model. Our toddler, who also loves Aria so much, walks around the house asking where she is.  'My 11-year-old step-son just remains confused and saddened at the fact his step-sister has been killed, they were close in age and shared similar interests and characters when playing together. Having all grown up together for the last 8 years, the void of losing one will never go.' He added his daughter was 'full of energy, curiosity, innocence and happiness'.  'She loved spending time out as a family, trips to the farm, walks in the woods and playing with slime and anything messy. She had a real care for others, always asking how others were and wanted everyone to be happy.' Mr Thorpe recalled the 'magical' time he surprised Aria and her siblings with a trip to Disneyland: 'Aria's face when she saw all of the princess characters, horse carriages, Moana and rides was a memory we will never forget.' But Aria's young life was cut tragically short by a single stab wound to her chest, which went through her heart. Her family now plan to obtain court transcripts 'to instruct an experienced, criminal appeals barrister to conduct a thorough and impartial review of the proceedings', to 'ensure that every aspect of the trial was conducted fairly and correctly'.  Following the verdicts, other relatives commented on the case. Aria's aunt Katie Thorpe said: 'How is this justice? What message does this send to society? 'What does it teach people when a child can lose her life in such a horrific and senseless way, yet nobody is held accountable? 'Our family has effectively been handed a life sentence. We will carry this grief, heartbreak and loss for the rest of our lives. Meanwhile, the person responsible walks free.' Great aunt Sarah Cox Pike added: 'To see the person responsible for taking our beautiful Aria's life found not guilty is beyond devastating. 'It feels like the justice system has failed not only Aria and everyone who loved her, but every family who expects the courts to deliver justice.' In a statement read to the jury at Bristol Crown Court, Aria's mother Victoria Hull described the last time she saw her daughter. She went to collect Aria from school at 3.10pm, forgetting her daughter had a dance class. Aria said she wanted to stay for the class, so Ms Hull returned at 4.30pm. 'Aria said she had a really good day,' Ms Hull said. 'We went to Aldi and got mini-pizzas and toppings. We got home at 4.45pm and made the pizzas. 'Aria was eating her pizza, sitting on the sofa in the living room. She was watching YouTube on the television.' She added: 'Aria seemed bubbly and happy because she had a good dance class... Aria asked me if she could have the last Oreo after her food and I said yes. 'She said something like, "See you after work, mummy". I replied, "See you after work, love you".' Ms Hull then headed out to work at Pontins, where she was doing evening shifts to earn extra money for Christmas.  Soon afterwards, Aria was dead. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.