Woman accused of murdering Casey Kearney, 13, in Doncaster park to face trial next week

Hannah Bonser, 26, appeared via a videolink at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday from Low Newton women’s prison in Co Durham where she is being held in custody and spoke only to confirm her name.

She is charged with the murder of Casey Kearney, who was found by passers-by lying fatally injured near a children’s play area in Elmfield Park, in the Bennetthorpe area of Doncaster, on February 14.

Police said the teenager had frantically dialled 999 on her mobile telephone to call for help after the incident, which happened during the school half-term holidays.

Casey, who lived with her family in the former mining village of Rossington, near Doncaster, was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but after battling for several hours, medics were unable to save her.

Bonser, of Cusworth House, a high-rise block in Doncaster town centre, was arrested the same day and charged with Casey’s murder, but pleaded not guilty during an earlier appearance before Sheffield Crown Court in May.

Members of Casey’s family and senior police officers involved in the case watched from the court’s public gallery as Bonser, who was wearing glasses and a grey sweatshirt, appeared on the screen during the 10-minute hearing.

The defendant listened intently as barristers representing both the prosecution and defence told the court that all the evidence and reports required from medical and psychiatric experts and other authorities had been compiled in readiness for the case to begin next week.

Judge Alan Goldsack QC, the Honorary Recorder of Sheffield, told Bonser she would be brought to Sheffield Crown Court in person for the trial.

The judge told Bonser that she would remain in custody until that time.