A woman has been charged with the murder of seven-year-old Emily Jones, who was stabbed to death in a park on Mothers’ Day.

Eltiona Skana, 30, allegedly attacked the girl in front of her family in Queen’s Park, Bolton, on the afternoon of Sunday 22 March.

Skana, understood to be originally from Albania, was arrested at the scene and later detained under the Mental Health Act.

Greater Manchester Police announced on Wednesday afternoon she had been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.

Skana, of Turnstone Road, Bolton, was remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 26 May.

Police described the incident as a “totally unprovoked and random attack” and said the suspect was not known to Emily or her family.

The girl died at the scene despite the best efforts of police and paramedics who attended the scene shortly after 2.30pm.​

An inquest hearing was told Emily had gone to the park for a ride on her scooter with father Mark Jones and mother Sarah Barnes, a solicitor.

Her parents issued a statement paying tribute to their daughter as the “light of our lives”. They said: “Emily had such a cheeky smile and was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart as big as her smile.

“Emily was never happier than when she was spending time with her family and friends, she was our own little social butterfly.

“We are beyond devastated that we will never get to see our beautiful little girl grow up into the wonderful young lady she was showing such promise of becoming.”

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