Sasha Marsden killing in Blackpool: Man in court

Sasha Marsden was stabbed in the head and face

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a 16-year-old girl 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 the Grafton House Hotel in Kirby Road, Blackpool was remanded to appear at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.

During the short hearing at Blackpool Magistrates' Court, Mr Minto spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

On Sunday, Sasha's family laid flowers at the scene.

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