Sasha Marsden killing in Blackpool: Man on murder charge

Sasha Marsden died of stab wounds to her head and face

A man has been charged with murdering a 16-year-old girl who was found stabbed in a Blackpool alleyway.

Sasha Marsden was discovered behind a bed-and-breakfast hotel on Kirby Road, South Shore, on Thursday night.

She had been repeatedly stabbed in the head and face before attempts were made to set her body on fire.

David Minto, 22, of Kirby Road in Blackpool, will appear before magistrates in the town on Monday accused of the teenager's murder.

Paying tribute to Sasha earlier on Sunday, her family said her death had left a gap in their lives.

'Precious daughter'

In a statement issued through Lancashire Police, Sasha's parents Gary and Jayne Marsden, aged 40 and 45, from Staining, Blackpool, said: "No words can express how we feel. Our beautiful daughter has been taken from us.

"She was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, great granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and girlfriend.

"She was very much loved and her loss has left a huge gap in all our lives, a gap that can never be filled.

"Sasha was your typical teenager, a fun-loving girl who enjoyed spending time with her friends and boyfriend, with her parents being last on the list unless she wanted something or needed a lift somewhere.

"We would ask that we be left alone in private to allow us to come to terms with losing our beautiful precious daughter."

'Amazing cuddles'

Tributes to the Blackpool and The Fylde College childcare student have also been paid by her siblings.

Sasha's family were among those who left tributes at the scene where she was found

Her sister Katie Brett, 21, said: "She was an expert wind-up merchant and although you might be annoyed with her, you couldn't stay mad with her for long."

Her brother Mark Brett, 24, said he was proud of her and she would be missed.

Gemma Aitchison, 26, said she was a "beautiful sister" and brother Thomas Nicholl, 21, added: "She always knew how to make us smile, especially after winding us up.

"She gave the most amazing cuddles and we will miss her so much."