Youth charged with girl's murder

Rosie May Storrie died of strangulation injuries

A teenager accused of murdering a 10-year-old girl at a Christmas party has appeared in court.

Paul James Smith, 17, was charged with killing Rosie May Storrie at a house in Normanton, Leicestershire, on Sunday evening.

The girl was found unconscious on a bed and was taken to hospital where she later died.

The incident happened at a house party in the village, near Grantham, hosted by Mr Smith's aunt and uncle.

Rosie, who lived in the nearby village of Bottesford, was found at around 2120 GMT and taken to hospital in Sheffield.

A post-mortem examination found that the cause of death was oxygen starvation of the brain due to strangulation.

Paul Smith, 17, is charged with murder

Paul Smith, of Bowmans Way, Sedgebrook, Lincolnshire, appeared before magistrates in Loughborough on Friday.

His solicitor David Watts said: "Paul's denied the offence throughout.

"He continues to deny it and his family fully support him and will continue to do so."

Mr Smith was remanded in custody and is due back in court on 9 January.

Rosie May's parents, Graham and Mary Storrie, later released a statement paying tribute to their daughter and thanking hospital staff at Grantham and Sheffield.

The statement said: "We would like to thank our family and friends for their continued support in the tragic loss of Rosie May.

"She was a very special 10-year-old who was the light of our lives - a star upon the stage in local panto and in everyone's eyes."