Gwent Police has charged an 18-year-old man with murder and attempted murder after schoolgirl Lainie Williams, 17, was found dead at her home in Cefn Fforest, South Wales
An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after a schoolgirl was found dead.
Lainie Williams, 17, was found dead at her home in Cefn Fforest, South Wales, on Thursday morning. Her mum Rhian Stephens, 38, suffered serious injuries but has now been discharged from hospital. Police attended a property at Wheatley Place at around 7.15am after reports that two people had sustained serious injuries.
Gwent Police has now charged Cameron Cheng, 18, from Newbridge, with murder and attempted murder. He was also charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place. Cheng, who the force said is a British national from Newbridge, has been remanded to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend said: “We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this 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 the investigation, our enquiries continue so it is likely that residents will continue to see officers in the area. So if anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.”
Anyone with information can contact the police by calling 101, sending a direct message on social media or via the form on the Gwent Police website and quoting log reference 2500361653. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone.
Lainie’s family described her as “brave and beautiful”. Cousin Megan wrote on social media: “There’s not enough words, rest peacefully our brave and beautiful cousin Lainie. Very fond childhood memories I’ll cherish forever. You were and still are so loved.”
Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have unfolded.
“As councillors, we’d like to do our best to reassure everyone, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.
“We are all hoping for a full recovery for the woman who was hospitalised. Something like this is highly unusual in this area, and I can understand if many residents are now frightened. When a young girl loses her life like that, it’s quite horrendous.”
