A judge gave his "deepest sympathy" to the father of a seven-year-old girl who was stabbed to death as her alleged killer appeared in court.
Emily Jones was knifed while playing in Queen’s Park, Bolton, on Mother’s Day with her family.
Eltiona Skana, 30, is charged with murder and currently detained under the Mental Health Act, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Emily’s father, Mark Jones, sat in the public gallery watching the brief hearing during which Skana appeared via video-link from high-security Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire.
Judge Richard Mansell QC, addressing Mr Jones directly, said: “I’m going to say something to you personally. I can’t imagine the pain you and your wife are going through at the moment.
“You have my personal, deepest sympathy and I’m sure the deepest sympathy of everyone involved in the court process.
“This case is clearly one that has a high priority.
“You have my deepest sympathy for what is an unimaginable loss.”
Skana, wearing a black and white Adidas tracksuit top and with a silver crucifix and chain around her neck, spoke only to confirm her name and that she understood the proceedings.
She was remanded until a further hearing in September, ahead of a possible trial date on November 23.
Emily, an only child, died shortly after the apparently random attack, which was witnessed by her father, with her mother also understood to be present in the park.
Earlier on Tuesday, the defendant appeared at another brief hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court via video-link from Rampton.
Skana is also charged with an offence of possession of a blade – a craft knife – in a public place on the same date, March 22.
She will next appear in court for a plea and pre-trial hearing on September 15.
