Teen charged with murder

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy and his mother were arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Jodi Jones in Scotland yesterday.

Jodi went missing after going to meet her boyfriend in June last year. Hours later, her body was found close to her Midlothian home.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said the arrest was made yesterday morning.

He said: “We can confirm that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Jodi Jones.”

Jodi’s body was discovered near a wooded path in the Newbattle area of Dalkeith on June 30.

Her mother, Judy, had become anxious when the girl failed to return home after going out to meet her boyfriend. Friends and family began a search for the teenager. Her body was discovered a short time later.

The death sent shockwaves throughout the close-knit Midlothian community.

A major police operation was launched, with 40 officers dedicated to working on the case from an incident room set up at Dalkeith police station.

Dozens of extra officers were also drafted in from across the force, and senior officers even flew to the US to meet members of the FBI to help with the investigation.

Forensic teams spent days at the scene where her body was found. A team also searched drains in the area and a local sewage plant.

Detectives spoke to more than 3,000 people during the first month of their inquiry. Paying tribute to Jodi her family described her as a “typical teenager” who liked grunge music and bands such as Nirvana and Metallica. Jodi’s aunt Agnes Petkevicius said after the death: “She was a typical teenager, into clothes and music. Jodi always considered herself and others as individuals and did not like being labelled.

“It’s also typical in the fact that she borrowed her sister’s clothes, was untidy and at times liked to tease her brother, sister and other members of the family.

“Jodi was a particularly thoughtful and private person. Her thoughtfulness is reflected in her homemade presents and the time and effort put into them.”

Flowers were laid near where Jodi, nicknamed Toad, was found and at the gates of her school, St David’s Catholic Secondary.

The 15-year-old boy was expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today charged with her murder.

Meanwhile, police forensic teams were carrying out examinations at a house in Dalkeith. Police later confirmed that the boy’s mother had been arrested.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “A 45-year-old woman has been arrested and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

The woman was held in connection with allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice.