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2 Jul 2013

Man arrested over OAP murder and stabbing of child

Police are questioning a man on suspicion of murdering an 84-year-old woman and and the attempted murder of a nine-year-old boy in West Yorkshire. Four other men have been arrested.

Shipley stabbing

The boy was stabbed at the Carnegie Skate Park in Shipley yesterday afternoon.

He suffered chest and arm injuries and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where he is in a stable condition and will be having surgery today.

Girl chased

Officers say eight year-old-girl was later chased by a man matching the suspect’s description whilst playing in her garden on Prospect Grove, Shipley. He ran off when the girl screamed and police are appealing for witnesses to this incident.

On Monday night three men aged 18, 24 and 29, matching the suspect’s description, were arrested in connection with the incident at the skate park.

After conducting further enquiries police found the body of an 84-year-old Louisa Denby, at her home in Prospect Mount, Shipley.

A formal identification and post mortem are due to take place in due course.

Early this morning a member of the public reported a man matching the suspect’s description.

A 26-year-old, who is related to Mrs Denby, was arrested on Westfield Lane, Idle.

Another 26-year-old man was arrested shortly afterwards in connection with murder.


Shipley stabbing

Today all five men remain in custody.

West Yorkshire Police have said they not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing or the murder.

Not known to each other

Detective Superintendent Lisa Griffin said:

“At this time, we believe all three incidents are linked – the stabbing, the little girl being approached in her garden and the murder, but would appeal to anyone with further information to contact us.

“At this time we do not believe that the 9-year-old boy and the 84-year-old woman are related or known to each other. The 84 year old woman is related to the 26 year old man arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder”.

“I want to reassure people that incidents like this are extremely rare. Police will be carrying out extra patrols in the area in the coming days.

Anyone with any information can contact 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.