Baby stabbed to death in Sheffield was found on top of washing machine, court told | UK news

A newborn baby girl died from multiple stab wounds before she was found on top of a washing machine in an outhouse in Sheffield, a court has heard.

Two men and two women appeared in court on Wednesday charged with the murder of the newborn, named only as Baby S. She was found with 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings when police were called to a property in the Wincobank area of the city on Sunday.

Andrea Skopova, 20, and Peter Horvath Jr, 19, have been charged with the baby’s murder, as have Horvath Jnr’s parents, Peter Horvath Sr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37.

The four, all from Slovakia, are additionally charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing of an infant.

Police were called to a property in Holywell Heights on Sunday morning after reports of concern for the safety of an infant. The prosecutor Luke Hopkinson told the court that Baby S was found wrapped in a towel in a blue bag in an outbuilding at an address in Holywell Heights.

A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to her age, has been charged with perverting the course of justice. The girl sobbed in the dock as representations were made about whether she should be released on bail.

The district judge Tim Spruce decided she should be remanded in youth custody until Thursday, when she will appear at crown court with the other defendants. The four adults were all remanded in custody following the short hearing on Wednesday.

Two women, 26 and 37, who were arrested on suspicion of murder remain on bail.

DCI Tom Woodward, of South Yorkshire police, said: “This is a significant step in our investigation into the tragic circumstances that resulted in the death of this baby girl. I would like to thank our communities, who I know will have been deeply impacted by this traumatic incident, for supporting us as we work through this intricate investigation.

“We would ask the public to avoid speculating and posting information online about this case while the legal process takes it course. Protecting the integrity of the criminal justice process is crucial to us securing justice for this little girl.”

Bouquets of flowers had been left by a police cordon near the property in Holywell Heights on Wednesday.