Photo: Merseyside Police/Family Handout
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Ava White, 12, in Liverpool city centre on Thursday. The boy, who cannot be named because of his young age, appeared briefly before a judge today where the murder charge, and a charge of being in possession of a blade, were read out to him. He is due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday. Three other boys, aged 13, 14 and 15, who were also arrested on Friday, have been released on bail while enquiries continue. Ava, a Year 8 pupil at Notre Dame Catholic College who has been described as “unique” and “hugely popular”, died after being stabbed while out with friends at an annual Christmas tree lights switch-on. Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs said: “We’re continuing to support Ava’s family, and they have requested that their privacy continues to be respected at this difficult time. “It’s also vitally important as we continue the investigation that nobody posts comments or names on social media which could potentially impact upon us getting justice for Ava’s family. Please trust us that we are doing all we can to investigate and update people on this tragic incident, and we do not want anything to jeopardise this.”Multiple tributes for Ava have been laid in Church Street, near where the attack happened. On Saturday, at Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League match at Anfield against Southampton, fans stood up and clapped in the 12th minute out of respect for Ava.There are also plans to pass around around a huge banner between Everton and Liverpool fans at the derby game at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening
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Ava’s death is the latest in a long line of killings involving young victims and suspects in UK streets this year, including Olly Stephens, 13 in Reading in January and Fares Maatou, 14, who was fatally stabbed with a machete in east London in April. So far this year 28 teenagers have been killed on the streets in the capital, one less than the record of 29 killed in 2008.