Pictured: Murder suspect, 31, led into court to face charge of killing 16-year-old schoolgirl in her family’s takeaway restaurant
- Chun Xu, 31, is accused of murdering talented 16-year-old schoolgirl Wenjing Lin
- He has also been charged with the attempted murder of a 38-year-old man
- Xu was seen arriving at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court with a neck bandage
- He was remanded in custody and will appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow
- Police were called to incident in flat above Blue Sky takeaway in Ynyswen, Wales
A suspected killer wore a bandage over his neck as he appeared in court over the murder of a 16-year-old girl who was ‘stabbed to death’ at her family’s takeaway in South Wales.
Chun Xu, 31, is accused of murdering talented schoolgirl Wenjing Lin in an alleged attack at the takeaway restaurant where she lived.
Dozens of police officers were among more than 30 emergency vehicles called to the Blue Sky Chinese in Ynyswen, Rhondda, last week.
Wenjing Lin, described by her family as a ‘gentle soul’, died at the scene despite paramedics battling to save her.
Xu was later arrested and charged with Wenjing’s murder and the attempted murder of 38-year-old Yongquan Jiang.
Chun Xu, 31, (pictured) is accused of murdering talented 16-year-old schoolgirl Wenjing Lin during an incident last week at her family’s Blue Sky Chinese takeaway in Ynyswen, Wales
He was seen arriving at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court with a bandage-style dressing on his throat (pictured). Police confirmed Xu had been treated in hospital
Xu appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court this morning with a large bandage-style dressing covering his throat after police confirmed he had been treated in hospital.
The 31-year-old, who speaks no English, confirmed his name and date of birth through an interpreter during the 10-minute hearing.
Wenjing Lin (pictured) was described as a ‘positive role model’ in a tribute from her school, Treorchy Comprehensive
His sister sobbed in the public gallery and had to be handed a box of tissues by the court.
Xu, who also seen wearing a grey tracksuit, disposable facemask and slippers as he was led from a van to the court, was remanded to Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.
Magistrate Kimberly Davies told him: ‘You will be sent to Cardiff Crown Court and that will be tomorrow. You will be remanded in custody.’
Officers have previously stated Chun Xu knew his alleged victims – but it is understood that he is not related to Wenjing.
Wenjing was about to take her GCSEs at Treorchy Comprehensive School where she excelled at maths.
She had been offered a place at a sixth form college where she was going to study maths and psychology.
The teenager was working behind the counter at the family-run Chinese restaurant after local staff were laid off because of Coronavirus.
Wenjing was described as a ‘positive role model’ in a tribute from her school who said fellow pupils had been offered specialist counselling following her death.
Treorchy Comprehensive School said: ‘Wenjing Lin’s sudden death is a tragedy and has had a devastating impact on our school and in particular her friendship group and Year 11.
‘Wenjing’s life, however, will be remembered as a masterclass in how to be the very best version of yourself that you can be.
‘The school will remember Wenjing Lin as a positive role model. She was extremely hard working and was in the middle of studying for her GCSEs and had ambitions to go on to study Psychology and Maths and further Maths at A Level.
The incident is alleged to have taken place at her family’s takeaway, a Chinese restaurant called The Blue Sky on Baglan Street, Treorchy
Xu is due to appear in Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court (pictured, stock image) later today
‘The school is working with outside agencies to support all those impacted by this tragedy.
‘Students in Year 11 and across other year groups have already had access to immediate support, and this will continue with the support of trained counsellors during the weeks ahead.’
South Wales Police Major Crimes Unit are investigating Wenjing’s death and appealed for drivers with dashcam footage who may have passed the takeaway to come forward.
In a tribute, Wenjing’s heartbroken family said: ‘Wenjing had a very gentle soul, she was a very quiet person.
‘Wenjing helped the whole family, working in the family takeaway. She enjoyed school and worked very hard. She was loved by her family.’