Boy, 14, charged with murder after body found in search for girl in south Wales

A boy aged 14 has been charged with murder by Gwent Police after a female body was found during the search for a girl missing in south Wales.

The boy from the Blaenau Gwent area, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates Court later on Friday.

The white British boy was arrested after the body was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday, police said.

The body was not formally identified but police believe it to be that of a girl, 14, named only as Lilly, who was reported missing.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time," Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said in a statement, external.

Police said Lilly's name had been released with her family's knowledge "because it will form part of the court proceedings and be a matter of public record".

Det Ch Insp Thomas continued: "We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing 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 our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.

"Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place."

Jenny Hopkins of the Crown Prosecution Service stressed that there "should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings".

Anyone with CCTV footage or information that could assist the investigation can speak to police officers in person, or contact them on 101, quoting log reference 2600194414.

Alternatively they can send a direct message on Facebook or X, or online, external.