Boy faces judge over teacher murder

A 15-year-old boy accused of stabbing a much-loved teacher to death in her classroom is due to appear before a judge today.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear by video link at Leeds Crown Court a day after he appeared at the city’s youth court accused of murdering Ann Maguire, 61, as she taught a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College on Monday morning.

Yesterday, Mrs Maguire’s husband, Donald, stared intently at the youth when the boy appeared for a two-minute hearing.

Mr Maguire, 62, sat between his daughters Kerry and Emma at the back of the courtroom and clutched their hands as the boy stood in the glass-fronted dock flanked by security guards.

The family released an emotional tribute to the long-serving Spanish teacher, describing her as “our shining light”.

And, a few hours after they attended court, Mr Maguire and his family travelled to the school where his wife died to lay flowers at the gate and attend church, where they were told they were supported by a “sea of love”.

They spent about 10 minutes in the drizzling rain inspecting the hundreds of messages and flowers which now stretch from the entrance to the school for about 100 yards to the gates of the neighbouring Corpus Christi church.

The family then spent about 30 minutes in the church where they prayed and were comforted by Deacon Sean Quigley.

Deacon Quigley said: ” I told them that they are surrounded by a sea of love, but that is not such a tremendous comfort at the present time.”

Mrs Maguire was months away from retiring after working at Corpus Christi for more than 40 years when she was stabbed in front of pupils.

Police have confirmed that she died from multiple stab wounds.

In a statement released through West Yorkshire Police, the family said: “Our beautiful Ann, our shining light, she brightened the world for so many of us.

“A loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister, a true friend. This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more. We are devastated. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally.

“We are overwhelmed by the support, sympathy and kind tributes we have received. They have been a source of great comfort at this dark time.

“We would ask the media to kindly respect the privacy of family and friends in the coming weeks and months.

“Ann, we will love you always, your loving family.”

Mrs Maguire’s death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom, and the first killing of a teacher in a school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.

She went to Corpus Christi as a student teacher and last year the school held a celebration of her 40 years’ service.

This year, she moved to working four days a week ahead of her planned retirement in five months.

Mrs Maguire, who was head of Year 11 at the school for more than 10 years, lived in the Moortown area of Leeds with her husband, who is a retired maths teacher and landscape gardener.

The teenager is due to appear before Judge Geoffrey Marson QC at 9.30am.

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Boy faces judge over teacher murder