Dormant Tuesday 18 August 2026 — Thursday 3 September 2026 · 15 days
Four charged with murder of newborn girl stabbed to death in Sheffield
Four adults have been charged with murder after a baby girl was found stabbed to death at a house in Sheffield. A 15-year-old girl is also charged.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Four people have been charged with murder after a newborn baby girl was found stabbed to death at a house in Sheffield. The baby was discovered on Sunday morning at a property on Holywell Heights in the Wincobank area after police were called to reports of concern for a child's safety.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the infant died from multiple stab wounds. The court heard that the baby's body was found wrapped in a towel in an outbuilding at the property and had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings.
The four adults charged are Andrea Skopova, aged 20, Peter Horvath, aged 19, Nina Horvathova, aged 37, and Peter Horvath, aged 38. All are Slovakian nationals. They have been charged with murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing of an infant. A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with perverting the course of justice.
All five defendants appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody. They are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing. A provisional trial date has been set for April next year, with the trial expected to last six weeks.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward of South Yorkshire Police described the case as a "significant step" in the investigation and urged the public not to speculate or post information online while the legal process continues. He said: "Protecting the integrity of the criminal justice process is crucial to us securing justice for this little girl."
The local community has been left shocked by the incident. Police have thanked residents for their support as the investigation continues.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  | BBC ONE West News and Weather | BBC ONE West News at One including... |  | BBC One |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reported by a few · 2–8 channels | |||||||||||
| The IOPC launched an investigation into the incident, and Cleveland Police is cooperating. | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | BBC OneReported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by Sky News | |||||
| The police watchdog confirmed that officers sighted a suspicious vehicle and initiated a pursuit before the crash. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||||
| A crash occurred at approximately 3:39am on the A66 at South Bank. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | ||||
| Multiple people died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services. | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | |||
| The two police officers who died were named PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | |||
| Eyewitnesses said the parents went into the water to save the girls. | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by Sky News | ||
| Four people were charged with murder. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | BBC ONE West News at One including...Reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | ||||
| Four people, two adults and two children, got into difficulty in the water at Shoreham. | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | |||||
| Police arrested 12 people in connection with the crash, nine men and three women aged 19 to 61. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | ||||
| Police made 17 arrests in connection with the investigation. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News | |
| Seven people were arrested on suspicion of murder after a newborn baby girl was pronounced dead at a home in the Winker Bank area. | Not reported by BBC News | BBC ONE West News and WeatherReported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | ||||
| The emergency response involved police, coastguard, RNLI, ambulance crews and two air ambulances. | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | |||||
| The five people in the Volkswagen Passat were aged between 17 and 23. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Reported by Sky News |
| The Prime Minister expressed sympathy and praised the emergency services. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by Sky News | ||
| Around 200 police officers were sent to Middlesbrough to address gang-related violence. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | |||
| Police said they were not linking the house fire to the A66 crash. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||
| A 15-year-old girl was charged with perverting the course of justice. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | ||
| A property linked to the father of Cole Worthy was rammed shortly before the fatal crash. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | |
| Four of the five men who died had previous criminal convictions, including for assaulting police officers. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Police urged the public not to speculate or post online while the legal process is ongoing. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | BBC ONE West News at One including...Reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Sea conditions around Shoreham were rough due to strong winds. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| The government called on social media companies to remove content that celebrates dangerous driving. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| The victims of the house fire were identified as Natalie McDonald and Valentina Foster. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by Sky News | |||
| A 2023 TikTok video appears to show Makai Saddington in a car being pursued by police. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| A man was stabbed with a machete. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Jaden Wright was charged with two counts of murder and multiple grievous bodily harm offences. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | ||
| PC Matthew Blaige died from head and neck injuries. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Police had not ruled out a link between the A66 crash and a separate fatal house fire. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | ||
| Police have not formally linked any of the incidents. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The adult defendants were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The five people in the Passat have been identified and their families informed. | Reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The house fire was reported to be one to two miles from the A66 crash. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | ||
| The incident was described as a tragedy in a summer of drownings. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Only on one channel | |||||||||||
| A 15-year-old schoolgirl escaped from the house fire through a smashed window. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| A provisional trial date was set for April next year. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| A report about a fishing net was not part of the investigation. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| A vehicle was rammed into a home at around 2am, causing damage to the front wall and no reported injuries. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Andy Burnham criticised the posting of videos that glorify dangerous driving. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Another house was rammed just after midnight on Thursday, a few hundred yards from the crash site. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Broadcasters reported no evidence that Saturday's crash was filmed for TikTok, while expressing concern about the wider trend of posting dangerous driving videos. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Eyewitnesses reported high waves and people in distress. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Five vehicles were set alight during a vigil for one of the men killed in the crash. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Police asked the public to stay away from the area. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Police confirmed that no one was injured and no arrests were made in the vigil incident. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Police have not ruled out links to organised crime. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| Sussex Police had taken over the lead of the operation. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The baby was found wrapped in a towel. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The defendants are Slovakian nationals aged between 19 and 38. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| The defendants were named as Andrea Skopova, Peter Horvath, Nina Horvathova, and Peter Horvath. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News |
| The Prime Minister described the events as tragic and promised support. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by Sky News | |
| The school described Sara El-Kawas as a sweet girl who was well liked. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
| Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the house fire. | Not reported by BBC News | Not reported by BBC ONE West News and Weather | Not reported by BBC ONE West News at One including... | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by BBC Two | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by GB News | Not reported by ITV | Not reported by Sky News | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
5 News initially reported the arrests and later updated with the charges. The coverage was factual and focused on the number of suspects and the nature of the charges, without extensive detail on the court proceedings.
Key Quotes:
- “Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a newborn baby girl in Sheffield.”
- “Four people have been charged after a newborn was stabbed to death.”
Sky News broke the news of the charges with a live update, providing the names of the defendants and the specific charges. The tone was urgent and focused on the legal developments, including the charge of perverting the course of justice.
Key Quotes:
- “Breaking News is being brought to us now by officers from Sheffield, saying that four people have been charged with murder after a newborn baby girl was stabbed to death in the city.”
- “two men, two women, to appear before magistrates later on Wednesday, accused of murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing of an infant.”
ITV provided a detailed report from outside Sheffield Magistrates' Court, including the names and ages of the defendants, the cause of death (multiple stab wounds), and the presence of a 15-year-old co-defendant. The tone was somber and focused on the distressing details of the case.
Key Quotes:
- “Four people have been charged with murder after a newborn baby girl was stabbed to death in Sheffield.”
- “The baby was found after police were called to a house in the city on Sunday morning.”
- “a post-mortem examination has since revealed that she died of multiple stab wounds.”
BBC ONE West focused on the court appearance, naming the four adults and the 15-year-old girl, and quoting the police appeal for no speculation. The reporting was restrained and avoided graphic details, instead emphasising the legal process.
Key Quotes:
- “Two men and two women have been charged with murder after a baby girl was found stabbed to death at a house in Sheffield.”
- “We would ask the public to avoid speculating and posting information online about this case while the legal process takes its course.”
BBC ONE West's evening bulletin provided a comprehensive update including the court details, the number of stab wounds (33 from 15 stabbings), and the remand of the defendants. The tone was factual and detailed, highlighting the severity of the injuries.
Key Quotes:
- “Four adults have appeared in court charged with murdering a newborn baby who was found stabbed to death at a house in Sheffield.”
- “The court heard she was found with multiple stab wounds and the prosecution said the dead body was found in an outbuilding at the property.”
This BBC News bulletin reported from Sheffield Crown Court, giving the most detailed account of the injuries (33 wounds from 15 stabbings) and the trial timeline. The tone was grave and focused on the legal proceedings and the impact on the community.
Key Quotes:
- “Two men and two women have appeared before a Crown Court judge accused of murdering a newborn baby on Sunday.”
- “She had 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings.”
- “A provisional trial date has been set for April next year.”
ITV Evening News reported that police confirmed the cause of death as stab wounds, and that seven people were arrested, with two released on bail. The focus was on the police investigation and the shock to the community.
Key Quotes:
- “Police say a newborn baby girl in Sheffield who was found dead on Sunday morning died from stab wounds.”
- “A total of seven people were arrested on suspicion of murder. Two have since been released on bail.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.
Channel 5 ★ First on air