A woman who killed a seven-year-old girl by slitting her throat in a park on Mother's Day has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 8 years. Eltiona Skana, 30, may never be freed as a judge handed her a hybrid sentence after hearing from a psychiatrist that her paranoid schizophrenia was "the driver for this act." Emily Jones tragically died after the horrific attack in Queen's Park, Bolton, on March 22 this year. Skana was previously found not guilty of murder after a trial but earlier had admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Today at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court Judge Mr Justice Wall handed her a hybrid sentence, meaning she will only be sent to prison if her treatment allows it and if she is never fit to be released to prison she will remain in hospital indefinitely. He told her: “What this means is that you will be detained in hospital until no longer necessary. If or when it’s no longer necessary you will be released to prison.” Consultant psychiatrist Dr Helen Whitworth told Judge Mr Justice Wall that Skana "needs to be monitored full time, probably for the rest of her life." She said Skana may have a "lack of insight" into her own condition which could account for her "clear history" of losing contact with mental health services and not taking medication. When asked if she thought the schizophrenia was the cause of Skana’s actions on March 22 she says it was likely. She said: "My view is that this illness was the driver for this act and in my opinion it follows that only effective control of her mental illness will be the way to achieve full control and management of risk." If these symptoms are not managed the defendant represents a "clear danger to the public", the doctor added, with a a hospital being the most appropriate place for Skana to be treated and that in prison officers might not spot the "subtle signs of relapse" that come with her mental condition. Dr Whitworth was asked about the possibility of a hybrid order including both a hospital and prison sentence, under questioning from prosecution barrister Michael Brady. She said the average length of stay for patients at Rampton Hospital - where Eltiona Skana is currently being treated - is around seven years, but people with severe conditions like the defendant are likely to be under treatment for much longer. She added: "In my opinion the safest way to manage Miss Skana’s case would be for her to be under the care of a mental health team." Skana showed no reaction as she was sentenced. The 30-year-old could be seen in the dock in Manchester during the sentencing hearing. Throughout the trial she had appeared via a video link but she appeared in person in court for sentence. Emily's father Mark Jones was also in court to see the sentence passed. Chilling video shared by Greater Manchester Police upon sentencing shows the arrest of Skana. She can be heard saying she "thinks she's killed someone" as po
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