Hartlepool Council has announced it will support a serious case review into the circumstances leading to the murder of Angela Wrightson.

Ms Wrightson was murdered in her home near the centre of Hartlepool, County Durham in 2014 by two teenage girls both of whom were reportedly in local authority care at the time

Leeds crown court described the attack which took place during the evening and night of 8 December as ‘sustained and brutal’.

Angela Wrightson was a troubled individual who lived alone and suffered from alcoholism. It is reported she would regularly buy alcohol and cigarettes for teenagers on her street.

The girls responsible for her death, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were 13 and 14 at the time of the murder and had been reported as missing by their carers.

Gill Alexander, Hartlepool Council’s chief executive, offered condolences to Angela Wrightson’s family and said the council would investigate.

‘Firstly, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Angela Wrightson’s family and friends at this difficult time following her tragic death,’ she said.

‘Angela’s death has touched the hearts of many people in the Hartlepool community who knew her, and as such it has also been an emotionally challenging time for council staff and other agencies who have been involved in this case.’

She continued: ‘An independent safeguarding adult review is being undertaken regarding Angela Wrightson and independent serious case reviews are being carried out in respect of the two children.

‘The council fully supports these multi-agency reviews which will involve all of the relevant organisations.

‘The two children were receiving services from the council and other agencies, but until the ongoing serious case reviews are concluded, it would not be appropriate to comment on the circumstances of the children at this time.’