Woman sentenced to life for killing girl, 7, in park on Mother's Day

Eltiona Skana (24/02/1990) has today (Tuesday 8 December 2020), been sentenced to life with a minimum of eight years at Minshull Street Crown Court, after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Skana has been sentenced under the Mental Health Act 2003 and has been deemed a dangerous offender so will need to be medically assessed before being considered for release.

On Sunday 22 March 2020, 7-year-old Emily Jones was riding her scooter through Queen's Park with her father, Mark when she began scooting towards her mother, Sarah who was jogging through the park.

On her journey, Emily was scooting past a bench that Skana was sitting on and completely unprovoked; Skana got up and grabbed Emily before attacking her with a knife and throwing her to the ground.

Emily's father immediately ran to her aid whilst Skana fled on foot towards the exit of the park, followed by a member of the public who bravely managed to detain her until police arrived at the scene.

Emily was rushed to hospital but had tragically sustained an un-survivable neck injury and sadly passed away despite the best efforts of medical professionals and her family.

Skana has remained in secure facilities ever since this incident.

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."

Emily's parents Sarah and Mark wrote this moving impact statement in tribute to their daughter:

"How can you put into words how you feel about the senseless death of your only child? It is just too difficult to comprehend.

"Emily was the beat in our hearts, the spring in our step and the reason we got up every morning.

"Emily was our beautiful, spirited little girl, a bundle of energy with an infectious personality.

"She was bright and funny, a kind child with not a mean bone in her body.

"Emily loved life and had not a care in the world.

"One smile from Emily and she had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

"Emily was a loveable child, full of innocence and wonder.

"She was just starting out on her path of life and her future has cruelly been cut so short.

"Our future has also been taken away, how can you enjoy life when the biggest part of it isn't there anymore?

"We will never see Emily grow and become the wonderful young lady we knew she would become, we will never see her hold her own child in her arms, as we held her.

"Emily brought out something special in everyone who was lucky enough to be in her life.

"The loss of Emily has had a profound and significant impact, not just on her family, but the whole community.

"Emily was someone’s school friend, a play mate and of course a grand daughter and a niece, and she meant something very special and unique to each and every one of them.

"The last 9 months have been spent in limbo.

"We cannot move on, because at this time, we cannot see a future. We can only focus on today, it is literally one day at a time."

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