Woman admits to killing of 7-year-old girl in public park on Mother’s Day

Elton Skana pleads not guilty to murder in Manchester Crown Court hearing

Emily Jones, 7, died of her wounds after being stabbed in a public park in Bolton in March 2020 (PA)

A woman has admitted to the manslaughter of a 7-year-old girl after she was stabbed to death in a public park earlier this year.

Emily Jones had been with her parents when she was fatally wounded in Queen’s Park, Bolton  in March .

Elton Skana, 30 was arrested shortly afterwards and detained under the mental health act.

Speaking via video link from the high security Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire Skana, who is originally from Albania, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of the child.

However she entered a not guilty plea at Manchester Crown Court to the charge of having murdered the child.

Emily’s father, Mark Jones, a credit manager, sat in the public gallery for the short hearing on Friday. Her mother, solicitor Sarah Barnes, did not attend.

The judge Mr Justice Henshaw agreed to an adjournment following an apparent from Micheal Brady, prosecuting.

The judge added that the matter would proceed on the basis of a “full blown trial”, scheduled to begin on November 23.

A further hearing is expected in the next seven days.