GUILTY UK - Emily Jones, 7 stabbed to death by stranger in park, Bolton, 22 Mar 2020
- Thread starter Ann Blyth
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Emily Jones: Bolton child's killer cleared of murder
'A woman who [killed a] seven-year-old [...] has been cleared of murder after the prosecution offered no further evidence and withdrew the charge.'
(Self-edited to remove description of the killing itself)
'A woman who [killed a] seven-year-old [...] has been cleared of murder after the prosecution offered no further evidence and withdrew the charge.'
(Self-edited to remove description of the killing itself)
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So sorry for her family, they must be devastated
Withdrew the charge?! How is that possible?!!
I give up...is there any justice left in the world? Doesn't appear so.
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It's because she's getting carted off to a psychiatric hospital instead. So the prosecution know a murder rap won't stick, due to reasons of insanity or whatever.
Don't worry, this lady won't be free to walk the streets for a very long time.
Last edited:
“Earlier, in 2017, Skana had stabbed her own mother and in another incident attacked her sister and had been admitted to psychiatric hospitals three times.
Dr Syed Afghan, her consultant at Rampton, agreed Skana became psychotically violent when not taking her medication.”
I think there is an important lesson here. Anyone on medication to stop them behaving violently needs to be heavily monitored. This horrid situation could have been avoided.
Dr Syed Afghan, her consultant at Rampton, agreed Skana became psychotically violent when not taking her medication.”
I think there is an important lesson here. Anyone on medication to stop them behaving violently needs to be heavily monitored. This horrid situation could have been avoided.
The safest thing is to put her away for the rest of her life in a secure facility. Release her someday, and she's liable to go off her meds and stab another little girl to death.
Too great a danger to society to live free. It is what it is.
Too great a danger to society to live free. It is what it is.
mrazda71
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What an incredibly heartbreaking story all round.
Having once, for several years lived next door to a person with paranoid schizophrenia, I can definitely attest to them not being 'in their right mind' ...
I called police and ambulance once, it was November, he was out in his back garden at 3a.m, in shorts! On a sun lounger, an electric extension cable dragged from the house (his parents home but they'd been away overnight attending a funeral) with every lamp in the house plugged in around him, an electric fan and a big stereo blasting music ... IN THE RAIN!
Nothing will bring Emily's family 'closure', no sentence or punishment for the woman will make anything better.
She'll likely never be free again and that is the best outcome, be it a prison or a psychiatric setting.
Having once, for several years lived next door to a person with paranoid schizophrenia, I can definitely attest to them not being 'in their right mind' ...
I called police and ambulance once, it was November, he was out in his back garden at 3a.m, in shorts! On a sun lounger, an electric extension cable dragged from the house (his parents home but they'd been away overnight attending a funeral) with every lamp in the house plugged in around him, an electric fan and a big stereo blasting music ... IN THE RAIN!
Nothing will bring Emily's family 'closure', no sentence or punishment for the woman will make anything better.
She'll likely never be free again and that is the best outcome, be it a prison or a psychiatric setting.
RubyLee87
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I keep thinking about this, it’s just so sad. Her poor parents. I can’t imagine how awful it must have been, especially for her father who saw his little girl die a horrific death in front of him. It should never have happened and this woman should have been monitored. She was too much of a risk to be allowed to roam freely in the community. I hope lessons will be learned from this. RIP Emily.
I’m wondering if due to Brexit we will be able to deport people like this going forward. I’m assuming her first stabbing attack also happened in the UK. Had she been kicked out after that happened this horrible crime wouldn’t have taken place.
I do feel that any conviction of a violent crime should mean you’re kicked out instantly and not welcome back ever again.
I do feel that any conviction of a violent crime should mean you’re kicked out instantly and not welcome back ever again.
chimpface
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Picture of the perpetrator at the link below.
First photo of schizophrenic Albanian woman, 30, who slashed throat of Emily Jones, 7 | Daily Mail Online
First photo of schizophrenic Albanian woman, 30, who slashed throat of Emily Jones, 7 | Daily Mail Online
mrazda71
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Really? So, if she'd been 'kicked out' - 'sent back' and killed an Albanian child instead that would be okay?
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11:53SEAMUS MCDONNELL
Emily's father is in court and Skana is on dock for first time
The sentencing hearing is now getting started after a bit of a delay this morning.
Judge Mr Justice Wall will address the court and we will hear information from some pre-sentence reports.
The defence barrister in this case is Simon Csoka QC and the prosecution barrister is Michael Brady QC, who is self isolating and will appear via video link from his home.
Emily’s father Mark Jones is also here with some of his family and Eltiona Skana is in the dock in court for the first time in recent weeks, having appeared via video link from Rampton Hospital during her trial.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
Emily's father is in court and Skana is on dock for first time
The sentencing hearing is now getting started after a bit of a delay this morning.
Judge Mr Justice Wall will address the court and we will hear information from some pre-sentence reports.
The defence barrister in this case is Simon Csoka QC and the prosecution barrister is Michael Brady QC, who is self isolating and will appear via video link from his home.
Emily’s father Mark Jones is also here with some of his family and Eltiona Skana is in the dock in court for the first time in recent weeks, having appeared via video link from Rampton Hospital during her trial.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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12:05SEAMUS MCDONNELL
'How can we enjoy life when the best part of it has been taken away?'
Proceedings start with Mr Brady reading a victim impact statement from Emily’s dad, Mark Jones.
Mr Jones says his daughter was a ‘kind child’ who was ‘bright and funny’.
He adds:
“Emily was a vulnerable child full of innocence and wonder, she was just starting off on her path of life and her future was cut short.
“Our future has also been taken away, how can we enjoy life when the best part of it has been taken away?”
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
'How can we enjoy life when the best part of it has been taken away?'
Proceedings start with Mr Brady reading a victim impact statement from Emily’s dad, Mark Jones.
Mr Jones says his daughter was a ‘kind child’ who was ‘bright and funny’.
He adds:
“Emily was a vulnerable child full of innocence and wonder, she was just starting off on her path of life and her future was cut short.
“Our future has also been taken away, how can we enjoy life when the best part of it has been taken away?”
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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12:14SEAMUS MCDONNELL
Defence ask for hospital order saying it provides more safety for public
Mr Csoka is now addressing the judge to explain what the defence feels would be an appropriate sentence for Skana, based on legal guidelines.
He asked that Mr Justice Wall gives her a hospital order rather than a prison sentence.
The defence barrister explains that all the psychiatric consultants we have heard in court have agreed that she poses a clear threat to others.
He says that a hospital order would provide more safety for the public because she could not be released unless a tribunal and the Secretary of State agreed to it.
12:38SEAMUS MCDONNELL
Judge says he has concerns over Skana's 'lies' to mental health nurse
Mr Justice Wall is explaining that he has reservations about Skana’s intentions before she attacked Emily.
He says it is ‘without question’ that she was likely suffering from a psychotic episode when the incident happened, based on the evidence from psychiatric experts heard in court.
But he also says he is concerned that Skana appears to have lied to a mental health nurse on March 11 when she said she had been taking her medication.
Police found a month’s worth of unused pills in her home after the incident.
The court also hears from Dr Helen Whitworth, a consultant psychiatrist who was asked to make a report for the sentencing.
She explains that it is ‘extremely common’ for people suffering from paranoid schizophrenia to think they do not need their medication.
She adds:
“It’s very common for patients with schizophrenia to lack insight into their illness.”
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
Defence ask for hospital order saying it provides more safety for public
Mr Csoka is now addressing the judge to explain what the defence feels would be an appropriate sentence for Skana, based on legal guidelines.
He asked that Mr Justice Wall gives her a hospital order rather than a prison sentence.
The defence barrister explains that all the psychiatric consultants we have heard in court have agreed that she poses a clear threat to others.
He says that a hospital order would provide more safety for the public because she could not be released unless a tribunal and the Secretary of State agreed to it.
12:38SEAMUS MCDONNELL
Judge says he has concerns over Skana's 'lies' to mental health nurse
Mr Justice Wall is explaining that he has reservations about Skana’s intentions before she attacked Emily.
He says it is ‘without question’ that she was likely suffering from a psychotic episode when the incident happened, based on the evidence from psychiatric experts heard in court.
But he also says he is concerned that Skana appears to have lied to a mental health nurse on March 11 when she said she had been taking her medication.
Police found a month’s worth of unused pills in her home after the incident.
The court also hears from Dr Helen Whitworth, a consultant psychiatrist who was asked to make a report for the sentencing.
She explains that it is ‘extremely common’ for people suffering from paranoid schizophrenia to think they do not need their medication.
She adds:
“It’s very common for patients with schizophrenia to lack insight into their illness.”
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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12:47SEAMUS MCDONNELL
Delay in sentencing after technical issue
There has been a delay in the sentencing due a technical issue.
Dr Whitworth, who is appearing to give evidence about a pre-sentence report, has had a problem with her microphone.
The judge has risen from court and there will be a delay until the problem is fixed.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
Delay in sentencing after technical issue
There has been a delay in the sentencing due a technical issue.
Dr Whitworth, who is appearing to give evidence about a pre-sentence report, has had a problem with her microphone.
The judge has risen from court and there will be a delay until the problem is fixed.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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14:14SEAMUS MCDONNELL
'She needs to be monitored full time, probably for the rest of her life'
The court has resolved the technical problem that was stopping it from hearing evidence from Dr Helen Whitworth, a consultant psychiatrist who is speaking about patients with paranoid schizophrenia.
She tells the court that Eltiona Skana may have a ‘lack of insight’ into her own condition which could account for her ‘clear history’ of losing contact with mental health services and not taking medication.
When asked if she thinks the schizophrenia was the cause of Skana’s actions on March 22 she says it is likely.
Dr Whitworth said:
“My view is that this illness was the driver for this act and in my opinion it follows that only effective control of her mental illness will be the way to achieve full control and management of risk.”
If these symptoms are not managed the defendant represents a ‘clear danger to the public’, the doctor says.
She adds:
“She needs to be monitored full time, probably for the rest of her life.”
Dr Whitworth goes on to say that she thinks a hospital would be the most appropriate place for Skana to be treated and that in prison officers might not spot the ‘subtle signs of relapse’ that come with her mental condition.
14:29SEAMUS MCDONNELL
'Safest way to manage case would be under care of a mental health team'
Under questioning from prosecutor, Mr Brady, Dr Whitworth is being asked about the possibility of a hybrid order including both a hospital and prison sentence.
She tells the court that the average length of stay for patients at Rampton Hospital - where Eltiona Skana is currently being treated - is around seven years.
But she says that people with severe conditions like the defendant are likely to be under treatment for much longer
She adds:
“In my opinion the safest way to manage Miss Skana’s case would be for her to be under the care of a mental health team.”
14:39
Defence says public interest is 'aligned' with Skana being detained in hospital
Mr Csoka is summarising the defence case to the court and Mr Justice Wall.
He says that the defence believes that Eltiona Skana would be in hospital under care for longer than she would be in prison.
He says: “On the specific facts of this case, the public interest aligned with a Section 37/51 order [hospital order].
“Under such a regime, the amount of time she is detained is likely to be at least as long if not longer than a hybrid order or even a life sentence.”
14:42
Sentencing will take place at 3.15pm
The judge has now risen to consider the information he has heard today.
He will return to pass sentence at 3.15pm.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
'She needs to be monitored full time, probably for the rest of her life'
The court has resolved the technical problem that was stopping it from hearing evidence from Dr Helen Whitworth, a consultant psychiatrist who is speaking about patients with paranoid schizophrenia.
She tells the court that Eltiona Skana may have a ‘lack of insight’ into her own condition which could account for her ‘clear history’ of losing contact with mental health services and not taking medication.
When asked if she thinks the schizophrenia was the cause of Skana’s actions on March 22 she says it is likely.
Dr Whitworth said:
“My view is that this illness was the driver for this act and in my opinion it follows that only effective control of her mental illness will be the way to achieve full control and management of risk.”
If these symptoms are not managed the defendant represents a ‘clear danger to the public’, the doctor says.
She adds:
“She needs to be monitored full time, probably for the rest of her life.”
Dr Whitworth goes on to say that she thinks a hospital would be the most appropriate place for Skana to be treated and that in prison officers might not spot the ‘subtle signs of relapse’ that come with her mental condition.
14:29SEAMUS MCDONNELL
'Safest way to manage case would be under care of a mental health team'
Under questioning from prosecutor, Mr Brady, Dr Whitworth is being asked about the possibility of a hybrid order including both a hospital and prison sentence.
She tells the court that the average length of stay for patients at Rampton Hospital - where Eltiona Skana is currently being treated - is around seven years.
But she says that people with severe conditions like the defendant are likely to be under treatment for much longer
She adds:
“In my opinion the safest way to manage Miss Skana’s case would be for her to be under the care of a mental health team.”
14:39
Defence says public interest is 'aligned' with Skana being detained in hospital
Mr Csoka is summarising the defence case to the court and Mr Justice Wall.
He says that the defence believes that Eltiona Skana would be in hospital under care for longer than she would be in prison.
He says: “On the specific facts of this case, the public interest aligned with a Section 37/51 order [hospital order].
“Under such a regime, the amount of time she is detained is likely to be at least as long if not longer than a hybrid order or even a life sentence.”
14:42
Sentencing will take place at 3.15pm
The judge has now risen to consider the information he has heard today.
He will return to pass sentence at 3.15pm.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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15:45KEY EVENT
Judge passes sentence
Eltiona Skana has been handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 8 years.
This will be a hybrid sentence and she will only be sent to prison if her treatment allows it.
Judge Mr Justice Wall told her: “What this means is that you will be detained in hospital until no longer necessary. If or when it’s no longer necessary you will be released to prison.”
If Skana is never fit to be released to prison she will remain in treatment at hospital indefinitely.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
Judge passes sentence
Eltiona Skana has been handed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 8 years.
This will be a hybrid sentence and she will only be sent to prison if her treatment allows it.
Judge Mr Justice Wall told her: “What this means is that you will be detained in hospital until no longer necessary. If or when it’s no longer necessary you will be released to prison.”
If Skana is never fit to be released to prison she will remain in treatment at hospital indefinitely.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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15:55KEY EVENT
Killing 'sent shockwaves across the country'
Police have have reacted to the sentence.
Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:
This was an absolutely devastating incident that has left Emily’s parents and family completely heartbroken and I know it sent shockwaves across the country as everyone mourned the loss of this innocent little girl.
Emily was taken from her family and friends in the worst possible way.
No sentence can ever undo what happened on that awful day in March, but Emily’s spirit will live on in her family and I know that she will never be forgotten.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
Killing 'sent shockwaves across the country'
Police have have reacted to the sentence.
Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:
This was an absolutely devastating incident that has left Emily’s parents and family completely heartbroken and I know it sent shockwaves across the country as everyone mourned the loss of this innocent little girl.
Emily was taken from her family and friends in the worst possible way.
No sentence can ever undo what happened on that awful day in March, but Emily’s spirit will live on in her family and I know that she will never be forgotten.
Woman to be sentenced for killing seven-year-old Emily Jones - live updates
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