'Our beautiful princess': Christina Edkins parents' grief as man is charged with murder
A 22-YEAR-OLD man is to be charged with the murder of schoolgirl Christina Edkins who was fatally stabbed on a rush-hour bus in Birmingham last week.
The Crown Prosecution Service has given permission to West Midlands Police to charge Phillip Simelane, 22, with the killing of the 16-year-old.
The charge comes as Christina's parents opened up about the loss of their 'beautiful princess', saying their lives will never be the same again.
Jason and Kathleen Edkins said: "We are heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful princess, Christina, and it's hard to find words to describe the pain we're all feeling.
"Her family and friends will remember her as an amazing individual with her whole life ahead of her - a life that was tragically cut short on that Thursday morning.
"Our lives will never be the same again."
The suspect, from Walsall, has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act following the attack on a crowded double decker bus last Thursday.
A police spokesman said the man will be charged in due course with the murder of the GCSE student.
Her parents added: "We are truly overwhelmed by the kindness that's been shown by friends and neighbours, people who knew Christina well and also those who never got the chance to meet her."