Teen in court after Lainie Williams fatal stabbing

An 18-year-old accused of killing a girl, 17, in her bedroom has faced magistrates for the first time, with the case now fast-tracked to Cardiff Crown Court.

Cameron Cheng, 18, has made his first court appearance after being charged with the murder of 17-year-old Lainie Williams and the attempted murder of her mother, 38-year-old Rhian Stephens, following the knife attack at their home in Wheatley Place, Cefn Fforest, on 13 November.

Cheng, of Newbridge, appeared in the secure dock at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday, speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a short procedural hearing. He is also charged with possession of a bladed article.

Presiding justice Christine Farrington told the defendant that the case was too serious to be dealt with by the magistrates and must be sent directly to the Crown Court. Magistrates ordered that Cheng be remanded in custody and committed the case to Cardiff Crown Court, where he will appear before a judge on Tuesday for the next stage of proceedings.

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The charges arise from the incident at the family’s home in Cefn Fforest, where Lainie Williams was found fatally stabbed in her bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother sustained multiple injuries while confronting the intruder and has since been discharged from hospital.

Police were called to the address shortly after 7am on 13 November following reports that two people had been seriously injured. Detectives continue to examine forensic evidence and take witness accounts as the investigation progresses alongside the court process.

Lainie Williams has been formally identified by police, and tributes have been posted widely by friends and relatives, including a fundraising page set up by her cousin and numerous messages shared online in her memory.