This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A teenager has admitted murdering the 17-year-old student Ellie Gould, who was found with stab wounds at her family’s Wiltshire home.

Thomas Griffiths, also 17, appeared at Bristol crown court to plead guilty to killing Ellie, a popular and talented sixth-former at Hardenhuish school in Chippenham who had dreamed of becoming a police officer.

The judge, Peter Blair QC, lifted reporting restrictions that had prevented the media from identifying Thomas.

Blair said he had admitted an “extremely grave crime” and it was “appropriate, reasonable and proportionate” to lift the order and allow his identity to be made public.

Wiltshire police arrested Thomas on 3 May shortly after they were called to Ellie’s family home in Calne. He initially told officers he had not seen her that day or on the days before her death.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ellie Gould was described by her family as ‘fun-loving and a joy to be around’. Photograph: Wiltshire police/PA

No motive for the attack was given during the hearing or by police. More details will be provided at a sentencing hearing in November. Thomas, of Derry Hill in Wiltshire, spoke only to confirm his name and reply “guilty” when the murder charge was read out to him.

Speaking after the hearing, temporary DCI 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.

“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.”

Ellie’s family previously paid tribute to the keen horse rider and animal lover as “fun-loving and a joy to be around”. They said she had wondered if she could join the police’s mounted division.

“We would like Ellie to be remembered as a kind, caring young lady with a wonderful, fun personality,” they said.

Lisa Percy, the headteacher at Hardenhuish school, said pupils and staff had been “absolutely devastated” by her death.

“Ellie was an extremely popular student in our lower sixth form who was preparing for her A-levels,” she said. “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.”

Thomas was remanded in custody.