Ava White: Father of stabbed schoolgirl says family is ‘heartbroken’

The father of schoolgirl Ava White, who was stabbed to death in Liverpool city centre, has said her family is "completely devastated and heartbroken".

Ava, who had been in town with friends, suffered “catastrophic injuries” in an assault on Thursday night after attending the Christmas lights switch-on at Church Street.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with her murder and will remain in custody in secure accommodation until a Liverpool Crown Court plea hearing on 18 February.

Ava’s father Robert Martin said: "We would like to say thank you to everybody for their ongoing support during this devastating time.

"Thank you to every one of you for your kind messages and donations.

"As Ava’s family we are completely devastated and heartbroken by what has happened and we ask that you respect our privacy at this time and allow us to grieve as a family."

The city unites in tribute to Ava White

Everton and Liverpool fans paid a moving tribute to Ava during Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Supporters from both clubs joined together in collective applause on 12 minutes in memory of the 12-year-old.

Rival fans also teamed up to prepare a joint banner for the Premier League fixture, calling for an end to knife-carrying culture.

The creators of the powerful banner said: “For 90 minutes we’ll be giving each other stick, but when it comes to something like this it’s something we can all agree on... it’s such a tragic event”

What happened to Ava White?

Merseyside Police said Ava became embroiled in “a verbal argument” with a group of boys shortly after the Christmas lights were turned on in Church Street on Thursday night.

The incident then escalated into an “assault on her with a knife” and the offenders fled up School Lane, across Hanover Street and into Fleet Street.

Officers were called to the scene at approximately 20:39 after receiving reports of the attack.

When officers arrived they discovered Ava collapsed on the ground in Church Alley and a member of the public, who witnessed the incident, was giving first aid.

Paramedics attended at the scene and Ava was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where sadly she died a short time later despite the best efforts of medical staff.

Four males – one aged 13, two aged 14 years and one aged 15 years, all from Toxteth - were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

Ava died on White Ribbon Day - a worldwide campaign to end violence against women and girls.

City to ‘stand together’ at vigil for Ava White

On Saturday, family, friends and others are expected to gather in Church Street, close to where Ava was stabbed, to pay tribute to her.

The vigil, outside the city’s Primark store, will start at 18:00 and organisers A&E Entertainment said glow sticks would be handed out to "light up" in memory of the Year 8 Notre Dame Catholic College pupil.

A statement on the organisation’s Facebook page said: "Tomorrow we will all come together as one, standing up against knife crime and standing strong for the family of a beautiful life lost.

"We stand together as we light Liverpool up for a beautiful little soul Ava White."