12-year-old boy appears in court accused of murdering a 60-year-old social worker by car

A 12-year-old boy was smiling when he appeared in court accused of murdering a "warm and loving" social worker.

60-year-old Marcia Grant was run over by a Honda Accord outside her home in Sheffield, suffering "catastrophic injuries". She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Sheffield Youth Court charged with murder, and possessing a bladed article. The court heard that he was found in possession of a silver-coloured kitchen knife. He stood smiling and fidgeting with his hands in the glass-fronted dock during the 30-minute hearing and was flanked by two security officers. He spoke only to respond "yeah" when asked to confirm his identity.

The boy has been given a secure residential placement under the supervision of the Youth Justice Board and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court.  Alan Kelleher, the bench chair, told the boy that due to the serious nature of the alleged offences, "only remanding you in secure accommodation would be appropriate" to protect the public.

Mrs Grant's family described her as "a warm, loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and a pillar of her community". They added: "Her loss has already sent shockwaves through all who knew her or was lucky enough to be included in her orbit. We ask for privacy at this time while further investigations are underway and the family try to come to terms with this enormous loss."

Rows of flowers were left outside the family home, and a card on one described Mrs Grant as "a caring lady with a beautiful heart and smile".

Tributes to Mrs Grant have been posted by friends and colleagues on social media. Michelle Faulkner described her as "one of the best [foster carers] you could ever wish to meet."

Jackie Hector: "I am absolutely devastated to read such tragic news. I mentored Marcia through fostering. She was a beautiful soul inside and out and her laughter was infectious."

Fayzeh Mohamed said: "I was lucky enough to have worked with Marcia and know just how kind and wonderful she was. A great loss for her family, friends and the city."

PM Law 

Sheffield Solicitors