Shipley: Man Arrested Over Murder And Stabbing

Police are linking the murder of an 84-year-old woman to the stabbing of a boy and another incident in which a girl was chased into her home.

West Yorkshire Police said a 26-year-old man had been arrested over the murder of pensioner Louisa Denby at her home in Shipley, West Yorkshire, on Monday, and the attempted murder of the boy, nine, at a nearby skate park.

Police have confirmed the arrested man was related to Mrs Denby.

The discovery of Mrs Denby's body in the bedroom of her home came just hours after the boy was airlifted to hospital from the Carnegie skate park, about 300m away, with chest and arms injuries.

Detective Superintendent Lisa Griffin said there appeared to be no connection between the injured boy and Mrs Denby, who had suffered a number of stab wounds.

She added that the attack on the boy happened without warning and for no reason.

Ten minutes later, the eight-year-old girl was chased through her garden but went inside her home and was not harmed.

"A male approached and tried to draw her attention, chased her through the garden and she went into her home address," Supt Griffin said.

"Fortunately the girl went inside the house and nothing untoward happened to her."

She said inquiries into these two incidents led officers to the semi-detached house in Prospect Mount where Mrs Denby's body was found.

She added: "It's my belief at this time that the three incidents are linked."

Det Supt Griffin said five people were in custody - including the 26-year-old man - in relation to the three incidents and officers were not looking for anyone else.

Three of those arrested were local men aged 18, 24 and 29.

Police later said the 24-year-old was released without charge.

Det Supt Griffin also confirmed that a knife had been recovered.

The boy, who was attacked about 4.40pm, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he remains in a stable condition.

Lisa Lacey said her 18-year-old son, Eli, saw the boy being stabbed and chased his attacker.

"My son was in the park. A little lad, nine years old, came running up to him saying, 'Eli, I've been stabbed'," she said.

"He was holding his hand and blood was pouring out all over.

"Eli saw the lad so he set chase, chased him over Carr Lane way but lost him because it's fields over the top.

"There were police all over. We still didn't know the full extent of what had gone off."

Mrs Lacey said she heard a noise at Mrs Denby's house and thought the pensioner was being broken into but it was the police.

She added that she was distraught when she realised her neighbour had died.

"I just broke down. I was sobbing ... sobbing. She was everyone's grandma. She was a lovely lady - just the type of person you want for your nana.

"She didn't harm anyone. She was always in her garden, she loved it.

"For something to happen on your own doorstep like this, it's a nightmare."

Mrs Denby's next-door neighbour Jackie Smith said: “She was such a good neighbour and she was really respected down this road.

"She was my husband's school teacher and then, when she moved in, she'd say 'Hiya, Michael, I remember you'. She was absolutely lovely."

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.