A 13-year-old girl has appeared in court charged with murder and arson after the body of a woman was found in a house in Northamptonshire.
The teenager, who appeared in the dock holding a teddy bear, was remanded in custody at Northampton magistrates court on Wednesday, after being charged with the murder of 43-year-old Marta Bednarczyk.
Police have said the victim, a mother of three whose body was discovered shortly after 3am on Monday at a property in Newcomen Road, Wellingborough, is believed to have died as a result of sharp force injury.
The girl, who cannot be named because of her age, also faces a charge of arson with intent to endanger life at the house in the Northamptonshire town.
She spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth during a four-minute hearing in front of three magistrates, and was remanded into secure detention accommodation.
Ordering the girl to appear before Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking KC at Northampton crown court on Wednesday afternoon, the chair of the bench, Kevin Walsh, told the girl that she was being remanded in custody because of the nature of the charges.
Bednarczyk’s family released a tribute on Wednesday, which read: “Marta was the matriarch of our family. She was a very caring woman, a loving mother, and a supportive friend who could never do enough for those she loved.
“She moved from Poland to the UK in 2010, first to London and then to Wellingborough in 2012, where she worked in a warehouse in order to bring money home for her family.
“She was engaged to her long-term partner Eugene and had a small but tight network of friends and family. She was so loved by all of us and the tragic circumstances in which she died will haunt us for ever. We don’t think we will ever come to terms with it.
“We are heartbroken at the thought of never seeing our lovely Marta again. She will be missed beyond words, and she will never be forgotten.
“Finally, we’d like to thank the police for the support they have provided us with since Sunday. They have been very kind, and for that we are really grateful.”
Forensic officers continued their inquiries at the house, where firefighters were called in the early hours of Monday.
On Wednesday, a section of the terraced street remained behind police tape, with uniformed officers and marked cars at the scene, along with a fire service vehicle.
After the child was arrested, DCI Johnny Campbell said: “I want to take a moment to thank the many police officers and staff who are working and continue to work tirelessly on this investigation since the very tragic events of early yesterday morning.
“And, in particular, all our thoughts are with Marta’s family who have been fully cooperative throughout what has been a devastating couple of days for them.”
