Ellie Gould wrote essay about how child killers should face justice just weeks before she died

Ellie Gould was stabbed to death at her home in Calne, Wiltshire, in May by her boyfriend

A teenager who was brutally murdered by her boyfriend had written an essay just weeks before she died about how child killers should face proper justice.

Ellie Gould, 17, was stabbed to death at her home in Calne, Wiltshire, in May by her boyfriend Thomas Griffiths, then also 17, after she had ended their relationship to focus on her A-levels.

Her mother, Carole, has now released extracts from her daughters essay, written weeks before her death, that stated young people who kill are ‘unforgivable’.

The essay, which was part of her Extended Project Qualification college project, was titled: ‘Should children who commit murder be held criminally responsible for their actions?’

Ellie, who wanted to join the police, included details in the piece about the James Bulger case before concluding child killers should be held accountable for their actions. 

One extract says: ‘Children should be held criminally responsible as each person has the ability to act in a way which they believe is to be right or wrong.

‘Children have this ability and they have the understanding that murdering a person is one of the most detrimental and heartless things a person can do.

‘They are a danger to society.

Her mother, Carole, (pictured together when Ellie was two years old)  has now revealed that weeks before she died her daughter had written an essay which stated that young people who kill are 'unforgivable'

Her mother, Carole, (pictured together when Ellie was two years old)  has now revealed that weeks before she died her daughter had written an essay which stated that young people who kill are ‘unforgivable’

Ellie had broken off her relationship with Thomas Griffiths

She said she wanted to focus on her A-level studies

Ellie had broken off her relationship with Thomas Griffiths because she wanted to focus on her A-level studies 

‘They should [also] be held criminally responsible for their actions to give [James Bulger’s] family the closure that they needed.’ 

She went on to discuss the effect of murder on the victim’s parents which proved to be a harrowing read for her parents just weeks later. 

Ellie Gould’s Essay: ‘Should children who commit murder be held criminally responsible for their actions?’

‘Children should be held criminally responsible as each person has the ability to act in a way which they believe is to be right or wrong.

‘Children have this ability and they have the understanding that murdering a person is one of the most detrimental and heartless things a person can do.

‘They are a danger to society.’

‘They should [also] be held criminally responsible for their actions to give [James Bulger’s] family the closure that they needed.’

‘They were ordinary people who didn’t deserve to go through all of that pain and suffering.

‘Many people who commit crimes from a young age have natural desires to make bad choices and are not willing to change.

‘[Children] should be held criminally responsible to keep society safe to ensure that they cannot commit similar acts that could be detrimental to themselves or others.’  

She wrote: ‘They were ordinary people who didn’t deserve to go through all of that pain and suffering.

‘Many people who commit crimes from a young age have natural desires to make bad choices and are not willing to change.

‘[Children] should be held criminally responsible to keep society safe to ensure that they cannot commit similar acts that could be detrimental to themselves or others.’

Speaking about the essay, Carole said: ‘Ellie wrote an essay about child killers in the weeks before her murder.

‘It was titled “Should children who commit murder be held criminally responsible for their actions?”

‘She thought yes, they should, as every person has control of their actions and decisions.

‘Ellie wrote about the murder of James Bulger. She wrote that the boys who killed him should be brought to justice, for James and his poor family.   

‘Ellie thought the sentences for child killers should bring justice for the victim and the victim’s family – so that’s what we’re fighting for. 

‘Ellie was switched on. She could judge a character well and loved watching detective programmes on the TV.

‘She even thought about joining the police academy apprenticeship after sixth form.

‘This was her first boyfriend and there were no red flags to start off with.

‘He was quiet, came over for dinner with our entire family and was quiet. Griffiths was a normal boy, not someone we thought was capable of what he’s done.’

Ellie's parents are appealing Griffith's sentence and argue that it should be longer given the severity of the crime and the remorse letter lacking any empathy for their daughter

Ellie’s parents are appealing Griffith’s sentence and argue that it should be longer given the severity of the crime and the remorse letter lacking any empathy for their daughter

The essay, which was part of Ellie's Extended Project Qualification, was titled: 'Should children who commit murder be held criminally responsible for their actions?'

The essay, which was part of Ellie’s Extended Project Qualification, was titled: ‘Should children who commit murder be held criminally responsible for their actions?’

She added: ‘Our family has been devastated by the system. Ellie would be screaming at me to get her the justice she deserves.

‘Her brutal end plays on my mind constantly. He has a devious and callous mind.

‘I’ll never forgive Thomas Griffiths for what he’s done. It was violent and so out of the blue, it’s shocking that he was capable of such violence. 

Griffiths was jailed for life with a minimum of twelve years six months

Griffiths was jailed for life with a minimum of twelve years six months

‘The defence argued his crime wasn’t premeditated as he didn’t bring a weapon to the scene. 

‘Griffiths used his hands as a weapon, wrapping them round my daughter’s throat. Those were the first weapons he used.

‘The sentence for Griffiths is nowhere near long enough. For me to lose my child, he should serve at least 17 years, the length of her life.

Ellie and Griffiths met in sixth form after being part of the same friendship group.

But he stabbed her 13 times when she ended the relationship and has since been jailed for life with a minimum of twelve years six months. 

The sentence is now being reviewed after authorities received more than 100 complaints that it was too lenient. 

Ellie’s parents too are appealing Griffith’s sentence and argue that it should be longer given the severity of the crime and the remorse letter lacking any empathy for their daughter.

The appeal decision is due to be read on the 6th December, to decide if Griffiths’ sentence should be reconsidered.       

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