THIS IS the face of convicted killer Thomas Griffiths. 

The 17-year-old stabbed Calne schoolgirl Ellie Gould to death at her home on May 3.

This morning at Bristol Crown Court, Griffiths, of Lansdowne Crescent, Derry Hill, pleaded guilty to murdering the girl.

In a statement, Det Chief Insp Jim Taylor of the Brunel Major Investigations Team at Wiltshire Police, 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.”