Christina Edkins bus stabbing: man to be charged with murder

A man arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old girl on a bus is to be charged with murder.

West Midlands Police say they will charge 22-year-old Walsall man Phillip Simelane “in the near future” after being given authority by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Christina Edkins was stabbed on a bus on Hagley Road in Birmingham on Thursday, on her way to school in Halesowen. She died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Her parents spoke publicly about the death of their daughter for the first time today. In a statement released by police, Kathleen and Jason Edkins said they were "heartbroken".

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“Our world has been torn apart by the loss of our beautiful princess”, they said.

They described Christina as a “bubbly, beautiful and intelligent” teenager, and said: “It’s hard to find words to describe the pain we’re all feeling.

“Her family and friends will remember her as an amazing individual with her whole life ahead of her… a life that was tragically cut short on that Thursday morning.

“Our lives will never be the same again.

“We are truly overwhelmed by the kindness that’s been shown by friends and neighbours, people who knew Christina well and also those who never got the chance to meet her.”

Christina’s parents said she was studying hard for her exams, looking forward to her school prom and was “just like most 16-year-olds”.

They thanked West Midlands Police for their help and West Bromwich Albion for their half time tribute at the weekend. “The support has been fantastic and shows what good, kind people there are in this world,” they said.

West Midlands Police Detective Superintendent Rich Baker said: “This was a horrific, random attack and one that’s understandably shocked many people”.