Ann Maguire stabbing: Boy in court charged with murder

Ann Maguire's family were in court as well as relatives of the teenager charged with her murder. Danny Savage reports

A 15-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a teacher who was stabbed to death in front of her pupils at a school in Leeds.

Ann Maguire, 61, was attacked in a classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Halton Moor, on Monday.

Members of her family were in court to see the boy, who cannot be named, remanded in custody to appear by video-link at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

In a statement, Mrs Maguire's family described her as "a shining light".

In court

Every seat was taken in Court 20 at Leeds Youth Court.

In court were the parents of the 15-year-old boy accused of Ann Maguire's murder, to whom he nodded as he walked in.

Also in court was Mrs Maguire's husband - who stared intently at the youth - and her daughters and a nephew.

The boy said, "yeah" four times in reply to questions asked.

He will appear via video-link in front of Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

Mrs Maguire, who taught Spanish, had worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College for more than 40 years and was due to retire in September.

In a statement issued by West Yorkshire Police, her family said they were devastated at the death of "a loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister, a true friend".

"She brightened the world for so many of us. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally."

Family members said they were overwhelmed by the support, sympathy and tributes they had received, which were "a source of great comfort at this dark time".

The statement added: "Ann, we will love you always, your loving family."

She joined Corpus Christi, a 950-pupil college in the Halton Moor area of Leeds, as a student teacher and last year the school celebrated her 40th year of service.

Ann Maguire's family visit the school to look at the many floral tributes

Flowers left by Maguire family The Maguire family laid their own bouquets of flowers amongst the hundreds of floral tributes
Tribute at school Ann Maguire taught at Corpus Christi Catholic College for over 40 years and was due to retire in September

Mrs Maguire lived in Moortown, Leeds, with her husband, Donald. The couple had two daughters, Emma and Kerry.

She also raised her nephews Andrew and Daniel following the death from cancer of her sister, Eileen Poole, when the boys were young.

Hundreds of floral tributes have been laid outside the school by current and former pupils since Monday.

A book of condolence was also opened at the church that adjoins the school.

The Pope, Prime Minister David Cameron and opposition leader Ed Miliband have each paid tribute to Mrs Maguire.

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