The family and boyfriend of teenager Gemma Louise Roberts have paid tribute to the loving young woman who lit up their lives.

Gemma Louise, 18, died after staggering, with blood pouring from a throat wound, into a pub car park last Thursday evening.

Customers from The Swan Hotel in Liversedge desperately tried to save her by attempting to stop the flow of blood from her neck with towels.

Police and paramedics also tried to save her life but she was pronounced dead after being taken to Dewsbury District Hospital.

Gemma's family last night issued a statement through police, describing her as "a loving, caring person who would never hurt anyone".

The statement continued: "Gemma was taken away from us so tragically. We will miss her terribly and we will never forget her.

"Gemma was carefree and loved life. In her few short years she coped with so much.

"She had found love with her boyfriend Ryan and they were really happy together. We have been robbed of a beautiful young life."

Gemma's boyfriend, Ryan Adamson, said in a separate statement that the couple had been seeing each other for only three months but that he had known her for much longer.

He said: "She lit up my life and changed me so much for the better. I loved her so much because she made me happy. We laughed a lot.

"I can't believe what has happened. She was so vulnerable, that's what I loved about her. I will never get over losing Gemma."

The spot in the car park where the teenager collapsed has been covered in floral tributes from her family, friends and wellwishers.

They included a moving message from her mother, which read "Goodbye and God bless, lots of love, Mum," and another saying "Love and miss you always, your big brother, Simon."

  • A 20-year-old man was arrested by police on Friday and questioned about Gemma's death.
Yesterday he was charged with her murder and was expected to appear at Dewsbury Magistrates' Court today.

e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk