Police patrol park after stabbing

Casey-Lyanne Kearney was found fatally injured in Elmfield Park, Doncaster, on Tuesday afternoon after dialling 999 for help. She was taken to hospital but later died.

Hannah Bonser, 26, appeared at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged with her murder and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

South Yorkshire Police said today that officers are in attendance at the park, the scene of a candlelit vigil last night, and will remain there over the weekend.

Police escorted members of the schoolgirl’s family into the park last night so they could have some time alone there before the vigil.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay tribute to Casey-Lyanne, lighting candles, releasing Chinese lanterns and laying floral tributes.

Detective Superintendent Terry Mann, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “We’ve been encouraged by the public’s response, but we are still appealing for more witnesses to come forward.”

Casey-Lyanne had left her home in Rossington at around midday on Tuesday and caught the bus to Doncaster town centre where she was going to meet a friend, but never arrived.

It has emerged that she called police and a passer-by phoned for an ambulance, but despite their efforts she died in hospital hours later.

Bonser, of Cusworth House, Doncaster, will next appear at Sheffield Crown Court on February 23.

South Yorkshire Police have described the incident as a “random, isolated attack”.