A boy has been charged with murd£r after a missing girl was found de@d near a Welsh bowling club.

 

The 14-year-old, from the Blaenau Gwent area, was arrested after the body was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on June 22.

 

While formal identification hasn’t been disclosed yet, police said the body is believed to be that of 14-year-old Lilly Jones.

 

The boy, described by police as white British who cannot be named for legal reasons, is in custody and will appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court today, June 26.

 

Lilly had been reported missing, having last been seen in High Street, Blaina, at around 6.50pm on Saturday, June 20.

 

Parts of Pilgrims Park, which is adjacent to the A467 in Blaina, were cordoned off after the body was discovered.

14-year-old boy charged with murd�r in Wales after missing girl is found de@d

 

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time.

 

‘We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation.

 

‘It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.

 

‘Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue, and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.

 

‘Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place.

 

‘I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.’

 

14-year-old boy charged with murd�r in Wales after missing girl is found de@d

 

Jenny Hopkins, of the CPS, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Gwent Police to charge a 14-year-old boy with the offence of murder.

 

‘The defendant cannot be named for legal reasons.

 

‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this person are now active and that they have a right to a fair trial.

 

‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’