The family of a woman and her two children, who were found dead at a flat in Luton, have paid tribute to them as a man, 18, has appeared in court charged with murder.
The bodies believed to be of Juliana Prosper, 48, Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, were found at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive, on Friday.
Prosper, the son and brother of the victims, has also been charged with a number of other offences as well, the court heard.
Grieving relatives have now paid tribute, describing Juliana Prosper as “a strong, loving mother”, Kyle as “a kind and funny young man” and Giselle as “a beautiful soul and caring young girl”.
In a statement released through Bedfordshire Police, the family said: “Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four beautiful children, who were her absolute world.
“In her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity – she was always putting others first.
“Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing.
“He was creative and thriving on TikTok, a big talent with massive potential.
“Kyle’s friends were his everything.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl; she liked to laugh lots and loved her family and big brothers.
“She was so loveable with an infectious smile.
“She was also an exceptional pupil at school and was loved dearly by her friends in Year 9.”
Police said that formal identification is yet to take place but the bodies found are believed to be the three members of the Prosper family.
The family added that they were grateful for the support they had received from relatives, friends, police, and their local community in recent days.
According to the court’s list, Prosper is also charged with purchasing or acquiring a shotgun in Luton without holding a certificate on 12 September and possession of a shotgun on 13 September.
Prosper was further charged with possession of a bladed article, a kitchen knife, in a public place on Bramingham Road on 13 September.
The court’s public gallery was full of family members during Prosper’s short appearance in the dock.
Deputy district judge Robert Borwick remanded Prosper into custody and ordered him to appear at Luton Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
North Yorkshire Police said: “Despite extensive enquiries, including with our colleagues in Humberside and West Yorkshire Police, we have been unable to identify him.
“He was found without any identification or personal belongings.”
The man was also described as white, in his early 50s to 60s, with light brown short hair and stubble.
He was wearing brown walking boots, blue denim jeans, a multicoloured knitted jumper and possibly a dark green waterproof coat, police added.
It comes after Leicestershire and Lincolnshire both declared a major incident in response to the extreme weather hitting the UK and Ireland.
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Leicestershire Fire and Rescue was the first emergency service in England to declare an incident and said it had received more than 200 calls since Monday morning over widespread flooding.
Crews had found cars stuck in floodwater and evacuated residents from flooded homes and rising waters, with some 17 people rescued as of 1.45pm.
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum declared a major incident shortly after, and noted that emergency services had rescued children who were stranded at a school in Edenham.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has three yellow weather warnings – each for snow and ice – in effect throughout Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
A warning covering the west and north coast of Scotland – reaching into Inverness and Aberdeen – will last until midday, while an alert in effect for all of Northern Ireland will last until 11am.
The Met Office has also issued a warning covering Wales and parts of northwest England on Monday evening, moving into southwest England, the Midlands and parts of southern England in the early hours of Tuesday.
On Wednesday, a yellow weather warning for snow is in effect across the south of England – stretching from just above Truro in Cornwall to Canterbury in Kent – from 9am to midnight.
A man has been charged following reports of threats towards Labour safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, Sky News understands.
Jack Bennett, 39, has been charged with three counts of malicious communications, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The messages were sent between April 2024 and January 2025 involving three victims, including the Birmingham Yardley MP.
It is understood the accused, from Seaton, east Devon, was charged over the weekend.
He has been bailed to appear before Exeter Magistrates’ Court on 18 February 2025.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke about a “line being crossed” regarding comments towards Ms Phillips and said that she had been receiving threats.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
The charge said the 31-year-old “wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust in the office holder by engaging in a sexual act with a prisoner in a prison cell”.
Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added last year that the incident was “a shocking breach of the public’s trust,” and that De Sousa Abreu “was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility”.
“The CPS recognises there is no excuse for any prison officer who conducts themselves in such a manner, and we will never hesitate to prosecute those who abuse their position of power,” she added.
“After working closely with the Metropolitan Police to build the strongest possible case, De Sousa had no option but accept she was guilty. She will now rightly face the consequences of her actions.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
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