Killing of Emily Jones

On 22 March 2020, 7-year-old Emily Grace Jones[1] was stabbed at Queen's Park in Bolton, Greater Manchester, while riding her scooter and died shortly afterwards.[2][3] Eltiona Skana, a 30-year-old woman unknown to the Jones family, was charged with murder.[4]

Emily Jones
Born
Emily Grace Jones

18 January 2013
Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Died22 March 2020(2020-03-22) (aged 7)
Salford Royal Hospital, City of Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Cause of deathStabbing
Resting placeBurial at sea
Parent(s)Sarah Barnes and Mark Jones

Victim

Emily Grace Jones was born on 18 January 2013 in Bolton.[1] Her parents were credit manager Mark Jones and solicitor Sarah Barnes. The family were from the Doffcocker area.[1] Jones's parents said, "Emily was seven years old, our only child and the light of our lives. She was always full of joy, love and laughter."[5]

Stabbing

The Jones family were at Queen's Park in Bolton on 22 March 2020, which was Mother's Day in the United Kingdom. The police coroner's officer Rebecca Gardner described the attack, "Emily was on her scooter playing. As she rode past a wooden bench, a female sat on the bench suddenly attacked Emily, stabbing her in the neck, causing catastrophic injury. Emily was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, but despite best efforts to save Emily her death was diagnosed at 15.56 hours that day."[6] Coroner Alan Walsh stated, "In my 20 years as a coroner this is one of the most tragic deaths that I have dealt with."[7]

Trial

A 30-year-old woman who was unknown to the Jones family was arrested on the scene.[6] She was detained under the Mental Health Act and placed in a high-security facility.[8] An inquest into Jones' death was opened on 1 April, and adjourned to 3 July.[9][10] On 20 May, the suspect was identified as Eltiona Skana (born 24 February 1990),[11] who is originally from Albania.[12] She was charged with murder along with possession of a bladed article.[13] Skana was remanded in custody and scheduled to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 26 May.[14] Skana did not enter a plea to the charges at her 26 May court appearance. The plea and trial preparation hearing was set for 15 September.[15]

Memorial

Jones was a pupil at Markland Hill Primary School in Bolton. After her killing, the school announced plans for a memorial garden. The fundraising target of £5,000 was reached within 12 hours, and soon surpassed £11,000. Headteacher Louise Close said, "We want a lasting legacy for this little girl who was taken so soon, so quickly and tragically."[16][17]

A separate fundraiser started by Jones's parents raised over £10,000 within 24 hours, with the funds going to the Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club, which provides sports and art activities for children and teenagers across Bolton.[18]

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References
  1. "Tragic Emily was killed as she played on her scooter, inquest hears". The Bolton News. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  2. "Stab death girl, 7, was 'light of our life'". BBC News. 2020-03-25. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  3. Evans, Martin (2020-03-25). "Family of girl murdered by stranger in random attack pay tribute to the 'light of their lives'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  4. McDonnell, Seamus (2020-05-20). "Woman charged with murder of seven-year-old Emily Jones in Bolton park". men. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  5. Media, P. A. (2020-05-20). "Woman charged with stabbing child to death in Bolton park". the Guardian. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  6. "Tragic Emily was killed as she played on her scooter, inquest hears". The Bolton News. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  7. "Woman charged with murder of Emily Jones in Bolton park on Mother's Day". The Bolton News. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  8. "The family of Emily Jones who was murdered in Bolton have paid tribute to her". www.lep.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  9. "Teachers 'heartbroken' after little girl stabbed to death in park". Evening Standard. 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  10. Macpherson, Jon; Molloy, Thomas (2020-04-02). "Inquest opens into schoolgirl Emily Jones, 7, who was killed in park". accrington. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  11. "A woman has been charged in connection with the murder of a little girl from Bolton | Greater Manchester Police". www.gmp.police.uk.
  12. "Woman charged after seven-year-old girl stabbed to death on Mothers' Day". The Independent. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  13. Macpherson, Jon (2020-05-20). "Woman charged with murder of schoolgirl Emily Jones, 7, in park". accrington. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  14. "Woman charged with murder of seven-year-old Emily Jones in Bolton". ITV News. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  15. Bardsley, Andrew (2020-05-26). "Woman accused of murdering girl, 7, could go on trial in the autumn". men. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  16. "Memorial for girl stabbed to death in park". BBC News. 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  17. "Bolton Stabbing: School of Emily Jones pay tribute to 'ray of sunshine'". ITV News. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  18. Vesty, Helena (2020-04-09). "The parents of tragic Emily Jones have raised £10k in 24 hours for charity". men. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
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