Teenager pleads guilty to murder of Calne teenager Ellie Gould

By Ben Fitzgerald - 29 August 2019

Crime

A teenager has admitted murdering Calne sixth form pupil Ellie Gould.

Thomas Griffiths, 17, of Derry Hill, who can now be named after reporting restrictions were lifted, appeared at Bristol Crown Court today where he pleaded guilty to killing Ellie at her home in Calne on May 3.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear back in court for sentencing on November 8. 

Officers were called to the address by the ambulance service and within a short period of time, Griffiths had been identified and arrested. 

A murder investigation was launched by the Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team and three days later, he was charged with murder. 

T/Det Chief Insp Jim Taylor said: “Ellie was murdered as a result of a violent attack.

“Ellie was in her first year of sixth form and was looking forward to the next steps in her education. Her parents have told me that she was considering a career in the police and had been looking into attending university. The options available to Ellie were endless but her hopes and dreams will now sadly never be realised.

“On the day Ellie was murdered, officers were able to quickly identify and arrest Griffiths. Although he initially denied having seen Ellie that day, or in the days before her death, he has today pleaded guilty to her murder. 

“While I am pleased that Ellie’s family will not have to endure a lengthy trial process in court which would have caused them further distress, I know just how difficult this whole period has been for them. They should have been enjoying the school holidays with their daughter, but instead, they are coming to terms with the fact she has been cruelly taken away from them in unthinkable circumstances. 

“From what they have told me, Ellie was an extremely popular, fun-loving, kind, gentle and caring girl. Her tragic death has shocked the community of Calne, as well as the many young people and teaching staff at Hardenhuish School, where Ellie was studying. 

“Nothing will ever fill the void that Ellie’s death will leave in the lives of all those who knew her, but I hope that this outcome, and the upcoming sentencing, provides them with some comfort and enables them to concentrate on remembering Ellie and the many happy memories they have of her. My thoughts, and those of all at Wiltshire Police, remain with them.

“Finally, I’d like to thank all the officers and police staff involved in this investigation – their hard work enabled us to secure an early charge and put this individual before the courts today.”

Lisa Percy, headteacher of Hardenhuish School, where Ellie studied, said: “The whole community at Hardenhuish was completely devastated by the death of Ellie back in May. Ellie was an extremely popular student in our lower sixth form, who was preparing for her A-Levels the following year. 

"She was popular, friendly and very talented, and understandably her death has hugely impacted on our school. Her close knit group of friends have shown strength beyond their young years in the months that have followed Ellie’s death, and have supported one another extraordinarily well. We continue to support our students with the help of partner agencies who have been invaluable to our school during such an unprecedented time.

“Our thoughts continue to remain with Ellie’s family at this time.”

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