A 20-year-old woman who plotted to kidnap, torture and murder a former lover with a “murder toolkit” has been jailed.
Sophie George, from Brighton, was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at Lewes Crown Court.
The defendant had arranged to kill a 23-year-old man she knew and was caught with a “murder toolkit”.
On 10 October 2020 George, who was 18 at the time, had arranged to be picked up by her victim, Sussex Police said.
On the way to his house, she insisted on taking a detour where she collected two shopping bags and later threatened the man with a knife.
As the struggle continued, George and her victim left the van and fought in the street, where he threw the knife in a bush.
He called 999 after George bit his finger down to the bone.
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Officers arrived at the scene and arrested George, and upon searching her shopping bags, they found items like bleach, duct tape, lighters, gloves and a Stanley knife – all linked to plans to kidnap, murder and cover-up her crimes.
A later search of her address uncovered a number notes in a to-do list, featuring plans including “drive to gravesite”, and “walk him to site, kill and bury”.
Detective Superintendent Jon Hull said: “This was a cold, premeditated plan to kidnap, torture and murder an innocent man, with clear steps to then cover up the crime.
“I am in no doubt that George would have followed through with her hugely disturbing ‘to-do list’ were it not for the victim overpowering her and the prompt response of our officers to bring her into custody.
“I would like to thank the victim for his support in this investigation, the member of the public who called 999 and everyone involved – particularly Detective Paul Thomas who was in charge of the investigation – for helping to take a dangerous individual off the streets.”
George has been jailed for 13-and-a-half years after she pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
