SCHOOLGIRL Emily Jones suffered the consequences of killer Eltonia Skana's delusions, a psychiatrist has told a jury.

Giving evidence at Minshull Street Crown Court, Dr John Crosby, who examined Skana after she was admitted to Rampton High Secirity Hospital, said, feeling under threat, the paranoid schizophrenic could have attacked anyone on March 22 as she was having a psychotic episode, but little seven-year-old Emily happened to pass by her in Queens Park.

"That's the tragic thing in my opinion. It could have been anyone who was coming into contact with her at that point," he said.

"I have not seen any evidence to suggest that Emily Jones was singled out for any particular reason. When people who are psychotic and paranoid and feel they are under threat they can attach that delusional belief to anyone around them."

He added Skana having a psychotic episode is the only explanation he can find for her behaviour.

"It was such a terrible, rare, random attack , to my mind, I can't think of another reason why it occurred," said Dr Crosby.

The court heard that 30-year-old Skana's record of mental illness dates back to 2015 when she was assessed as suffering from PTSD.

Albanian-born Skana had come to the UK in a lorry, applying for asylum in August 2014. Asylum was initially refused, but the refusal was later overturned and she was later granted leave to remain in the country until November 2024.

In July 2015 Skana was admitted to the psychiatric unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital after grabbing a knife, believing she would be attacked.

She revealed to doctors that she believed neighbours and electricity were trying to harm her but said she liked to go to the park when she was frightened as it relaxed her.

Read more of today's evidence here

Whilst sectioned under the Mental Health Act Skana absconded form hospital several times and refused to take oral medication so was given anti-psychotic injections instead.

She was later deemed well enough to leave hospital but in February 2017 she was arrested after she chained her door and hit her mother over the head with an iron.

"She began saying when she killed her mother everything would be ok," Michael Brady QC, told the court.

Skana was sectioned again and later allowed home under the care of the community mental health team.

She appeared to professionals to be taking her medication, managing her mental health and not reporting any psychotic symptoms.

But after Emily's death a search of her flat revealed a stockpile of anti-psychotic tablets which she had not taken.

Skana, of Ernest Street, Bolton, has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder.

The trial continues.