Jordan Wilkes sentencing: Family of stabbed nine-year-old girl make statement

Following the sentencing of Jordan Wilkes, the victim’s family collapsed, weeping into each other's arms. Outside the court Detective Chief Inspector Aimee Schock read out a statement on their behalf.

In it they said: "Our little girl did not have a choice on 20th August 2024. Together we did not choose to experience this trauma, and we did not choose what we will endure for the rest of our lives.

"We must because of the choice a heinous and disturbing fanatic of monstrous proportion, who chose an innocent and vulnerable little girl as his victim, subsequently plunging our family into a living nightmare.

"But be assured; although it has been extremely arduous, the resilience, bravery, endurance, strength, power, determination and much more our little girl has shown from the very seconds of the attack through to where we stand today; will continue to diminish his existence.

“We are extremely fortunate, beyond words and feelings to still have our little girl with us today, given the severity of her injuries our little girl is currently and undoubtedly will experience further challenges and difficulties for the rest her life, of which we are uncertain of the impact on her.

“Justice has been delivered today and knowing this person’s liberties have been withdrawn and children in our community are now safe from him; we can close out this chapter. We are hugely grateful for the 12 members from society who saw through any defence and unanimously delivered a guilty verdict and gave our family and the community the opportunity to see today’s results.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and love from across our community and neighbouring communities, who provided support to our family either professionally or socially.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank so many of the services involved, that have helped our little girl personally, our family and our community as a whole.

“A special thank you to Dorset Police, CPS and the prosecution team for ensuring that justice has been served, but also for the continued support that Dorset Police are giving to our family."

The family also thanked Dorset ambulance service, Dorset and Somerset air ambulance, Southampton hospital and the physiotherapist team at Christchurch hospital along with charities and organisations that have been supporting them.