Sheffield funeral for baby Maria as mum and four others charged with her murder awaits trial
A funeral was held at St Marie’s Catholic Cathedral in Sheffield for newborn Maria Skopova, whose death is the subject of a murder case awaiting trial. The service, conducted mainly in Slovakian, was followed by a private family ceremony at a cemetery; those charged were not present.
Maria’s body was found in an outbuilding in Wincobank on 30 August, and a court was told she had 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings. Her mother, Andrea Skopova, her mother’s boyfriend and his parents face murder charges, as well as charges relating to a child’s death and alleged attempts to clean the scene; a 15-year-old girl faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. The four adults are in custody, and the trial is scheduled to begin in April next year.
In short
- Sheffield held a funeral for newborn Maria Skopova.
- Four adults charged with her murder were absent.
- The trial is due to begin in April next year.
Explained simply
Maria Skopova was a newborn whose body was found in an outbuilding in Wincobank, Sheffield, in August. Her death is being dealt with by the criminal courts, where several people have been charged; a charge is an accusation, and the case has yet to be tried.
Those charged include Maria’s mother, her mother’s boyfriend and his parents, who face murder charges and other allegations. A 15-year-old girl is charged with perverting the course of justice, which means allegedly trying to obstruct the investigation. The case matters because the court will examine how Maria died and whether the accused are responsible.