Mary-Ann suspect taken to hospital

A 21-year-old man accused of murdering teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan was under police guard in hospital tonight after being injured in his cell.

Jamaile Morally had earlier been remanded in custody accused of killing the 16-year-old, the attempted murder of her 18-year-old friend, and rape and kidnap.

But after he was returned to holding cells at Reading Magistrates Court he was injured in what police described as “an incident”.

Morally, from Balham, south-west London, spoke only to confirm his name and address, and confirm that he understood the charges, at today’s hearing at Reading Magistrates Court.

He was remanded in custody until next Thursday when he will appear at the town’s crown court.

Mary-Ann, 16, and her 18-year-old friend were snatched by a gang of about six men from the car park at the disused Wallingford Arms pub in Reading last weekend.

They were taken to a guest house, sexually abused and dumped at nearby Prospect Park.

Mary-Ann died of a stab wound to the neck.

Her friend survived, despite being shot in the head.

Four men remain in custody after being arrested in connection with the murder.

Two women, arrested in London early yesterday on suspicion of assisting offenders, also remain in custody, police said.

Speaking outside Reading Police Station today, Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick appealed for witnesses.

“There are people in the community that have information that could be valuable to us and we will continue to urge them to come forward,” he said.

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said later that Morally had been taken to hospital.

She said: “Police are guarding the hospital bed of a 21-year-old man this afternoon after he was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

“The man was injured in an incident in the cells at the magistrates’ court in Reading where he had been appearing on a murder charge.

“The man was not seriously injured. Police are hoping to move him to HMP Bullingdon later this afternoon.”