TEEN killer Thomas Griffiths was told by a Bristol judge to expect a lengthy jail sentence.

The 17-year-old this morning pleaded guilty to murdering Wiltshire schoolgirl Ellie Gould.

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The girl was just 17 when Griffiths stabbed her multiple times at her home on Springfield Drive, Calne, on May 3. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives charged Griffiths with murder just three days after the attack.

Appearing before Judge Peter Blair at Bristol Crown Court this morning, Griffiths spoke only to confirm his name and his guilty plea. He kept his head bowed throughout much of the hearing, while his victim’s family looked on from a packed public gallery.

Judge Blair adjourned sentencing to Friday, November 8, for psychiatric and other pre-sentence reports to be prepared. Griffiths was remanded in custody.

The judge told the defendant to expect a lengthy prison term: “You know that the sentence is fixed by law and will involve a life sentence.

“The [sentencing] hearing will determine how long it is as a minimum you will be detained in custody before you can be considered for release.”