April 18, 2016 12.04 pm This story is over 95 months old

Boy and girl, 14, appear in court charged with two Spalding murders

A 14-year-old boy and girl have appeared in court charged with the murders of a school dinner lady and her 13-year-old daughter in Spalding. The girl, who was dressed in a grey top and blue jeans is accused of murdering Elizabeth Edwards, 49, and her youngest daughter Katie Edwards, 13, whose bodies were discovered at…
Elizabeth and Katie Edwards were found dead at their home in Spalding

A 14-year-old boy and girl have appeared in court charged with the murders of a school dinner lady and her 13-year-old daughter in Spalding.

The girl, who was dressed in a grey top and blue jeans is accused of murdering Elizabeth Edwards, 49, and her youngest daughter Katie Edwards, 13, whose bodies were discovered at their semi-detached home in Spalding on Friday, April 15.

She is jointly alleged to have carried out the murders with a 14-year-old boy who appeared alongside her in a packed court room number four at Lincoln Youth Court wearing a blue sweatshirt.

Lincoln Magistrates Court, where the first hearing took place.

Lincoln Magistrates Court, where the youth court hearing took place. Photo: Daniel Ionescu for The Lincolnite

The pair, who cannot be named because of their ages, stood in the glass panelled dock flanked by security officers as the clerk of the court first asked the boy to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

The girl was then asked to confirm her details before the court clerk read out the murder charges they face.

They both face two charges of murdering Elizabeth Edwards and Katie Edwards on April 15.

Both defendants showed little reaction, only bowing their heads as the charges were read out.

They then sat as Jim Clare, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, gave a brief outline of the case.

Defence solicitor James Watson, representing the girl, then made a brief submission to the court which was followed by Stuart Wild representing the boy.

The court heard placements were available for both defendants in youth detention.

District Judge Peter Veits remanded the pair in to the custody of youth detention and adjourned the five minute hearing.

The pair will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court at 2pm on Monday, April 18.

The bodies of Elizabeth Edwards, 49, known as “Liz” and her youngest daughter Katie, 13, were found on Friday lunchtime at their home in Spalding.

Lincolnshire Police arrested the two 14-year-olds following the discovery and charged them with murder over the weekend.

Police remain at the scene at 5 Dawson Avenue, off Royce Road.

Photo: Google Street View

The house where the victims were found. Photo: Google Street View

A broken window which stood at the front of the semi-detached property on Friday has been removed.

Neighbours said Liz worked as a midday supervisor at a nearby primary school and lived at the house with her two daughters.

She also has a third grown up daughter, Mary.

Edwards’ partner, Graham Green, wrote on Facebook: “My babe has gone but you will always in my heart forever and ever and ever. The lady meant the world to me she was my rock. Katie so young lots of good times in front of us been taken away r.i.p.”

Her eldest daughter Mary said: “I love you both so. Still in shock, can’t believe they’re gone. I love them so much. I need my mum.”

Edwards’ ex-partner, Peter Edwards, who is the father of Katie and her two sisters, said: “The loved ones around us will keep us strong every step of the way.”