THE teenage trio that all played a part in the death of Olly Stephens has been sentenced to a total of 28 years prison time.

Olly, 13, was fatally stabbed in an 'ambush' at Bugs Bottom Fields in Emmer Green, Reading, on January 3.

Today, Reading Crown Court heard how they will spend a total of up to 28 years in prison.

AS IT HAPPENED: Live updates from court sentencing 

Individual sentences as follows:

  • The younger boy, sentenced for murder, is given a minimum 13 years in prison. 
  • The older boy, sentenced for murder, two counts of perverting the course of justice for deleting apps from his mobile phone, which he admitted, and for throwing away clothes worn during the attack, which he had denied but was convicted of is given a minimum prison sentence of 12 years.
  • The 14-year-old girl who admitted manslaughter and perverting the course of justice was sentenced at Reading Crown Court to three years and two months in a young offenders institution.

Addressing the girl's guilty plea and her good behaviour since the incident, the Judge added: "There is a real chance you can be rehabilitated."

The girl will have to stay in secure accommodation for half her custodial sentence, meaning she will spend 19 months here minus 206 days she has already spent in this setting.

This means she will spend another 10 months in detention, which the Judge notes is around the same time as the school year ends in 2022.

ALSO READ: Teenagers who killed Olly Stephens WILL NOT be named, judge rules

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “Today’s sentences mark the conclusion of an extremely harrowing period for all of Olly’s family and friends, and I would like to start by paying tribute to their immense bravery and dignity throughout this entire process.

“While I am pleased that justice has been done, and those responsible have been held accountable for their actions, there is no sense of victory for anyone involved in this incident, or investigation.

“A 13-year-old boy who had his entire life ahead of him, with so much unfulfilled promise and potential, has been killed in violent and needless circumstances.

“Three other young lives have also been changed forever. All of this could so easily have been avoided if those involved had not carried a knife that day.

“The circumstances of Olly’s death are truly shocking but it is vital that his death is not in vain. I know that Olly’s family are determined that his death is the foundation of something far more positive; in particular education and intervention for young people to try and prevent others from finding themselves in this type of destructive scenario.

“All of us as an adult community have a responsibility for children; we have a duty to set the right standards and values for our younger generations, to educate them around the risk of carrying knives, to intervene and provide them with suitable deterrents, to provide constructive ways to fill their time and support them in developing friendships and relationships that are not solely based on virtual contact. Most importantly we have to teach them and make them realise that life is precious.

“Nothing can bring Olly back to his family now, but I hope that lessons can be learned from this distressing case to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in future.”