Boy, 17, charged with murder of schoolgirl

A teenager has appeared in court charged with the murder of schoolgirl Ellie Gould as it emerged the talented showjumper died from stab wounds.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and nationality as he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates Court, Wilts, via video link.

He was then remanded in custody for a 'trial before a jury' at a crown court.

The body of 17-year-old Ellie was found in her parents' £300,000 home in Calne, Wiltshire, on May 3. Police were called to the scene at around 3.15pm.

The boy, from Calne, was arrested later that afternoon, seven miles away in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Dressed in a grey sweatshirt, the brown-haired teenager this morning appeared via video link from Melksham Police Station.

District judge Peter Greenfield told him: “I’m going to send you for trial by jury at Bristol Crown Court.

“I’m remanding you in custody to appear before a judge at Bristol .”

Neighbours in Calne said horse-mad Ellie had recently turned 17 and dad Matthew, 50, was teaching her to drive. She competed in equestrian events all over the country.

Ellie was a Year 12 student at Hardenhuish school, Chippenham, where she was studying for A levels.

Mr Gould and Ellie's mother, 48 year old Carole, own a kitchen fitting business together.

They have a 19-year-old son called Ben.