Judge’s tribute to grieving dad of girl, 7, stabbed to death in park as woman appears in court charged with murder – The Sun

A JUDGE has paid tribute to the heartbroken father of a seven-year-old girl stabbed to death in a park as her alleged killer appeared in court today.

Judge Richard Mansell said the family of Emily Jones had suffered “unimaginable loss” after she was brutally knifed in Queen’s Park, Bolton, on Mothers’ Day.

Eltiona Skana, 30, was charged with the youngster’s murder and appeared via video-link for a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Wearing a black and white Adidas tracksuit top and clutching a tissue, she spoke only her name from Rampton Hospital, Nottinghamshire.

Judge Mansell told Emily’s father, Mark Jones, at the end of the three-minute hearing:"I am going to say something to you personally.

I cannot imagine the pain you and your wife are going through at the moment.

 

“I cannot imagine the pain you and your wife are going through at the moment.

“You have my personal and deepest sympathy as well as the sympathy of everyone involved in the court process.

"I did not want you just to sit there and listen to the mechanical processes of the court. You have my deepest sympathy for your unimaginable loss."

KNIFE MURDER

Skana, originally from Albania, is accused of murdering Emily when she was with her parents on the afternoon of Sunday March 22.

The defendant was arrested at the scene and later detained under the Mental Health Act.

Emily died shortly after the apparently random attack, which was witnessed by her father.

Skana is also charged with an offence of possession of a blade in a public place – a craft knife – on the same date.

Remanding the defendant in custody, District Judge Jack McGarva told the hearing today:"This court cannot deal with one of the charges, the murder charge – that must be heard by a judge and jury at crown court.

"I will send that matter to Manchester Crown Court today. The associated offence will be sent as an associated matter. You will be remanded into custody."

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