Man, 70, charged with murdering wife and daughter

Peter Redfern, 70, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the brief hearing at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court this morning.

The bodies of his wife, 67-year old Jean Redfern and their daughter, 33-year-old Sarah Redfern, were discovered at their bungalow in Sandygate, Wath-upon-Dearne at around 7pm on Monday.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “Post-mortem results have revealed that Jean Redfern suffered asphyxiation and Sarah Redfern died from severe head injuries.”

In a statement released through the police yesterday, a member of the Redferm family said: “The family of Jean and Sarah are devastated by the news of their deaths.

“Jean was a much-loved sister and aunt.

“Sarah was a wonderful, kind and loving niece and cousin.

“We are at a loss to know why they died, but ask as a family that we are allowed to grieve and try to come to terms with what has happened.”

Neighbours in quiet, tree-lined Sandygate said that Mrs Redfern and her daughter were “inseperable” and described the family as a “unit.”

Miss Redfern worked at the Bon Marche clothing store in nearby Rotherham

Redfern was remanded in custody and will appear before Sheffield Crown Court next month.

One neighbour, Helen Hughes, said: “I knew the family; they were very private people. They kept themselves to themselves. If you passed them you would have a chit chat about the weather and that was it.

“They were a little unit on their own. When you spoke to them they were nice and that was it. It is very sad, I am sorry about it. They weren’t any trouble to anyone. It’s a shame.”

“They are a quiet family and Sarah was a beautiful young woman. It is a great tragedy.”

Neighbours said the family, which included husband and father Peter Redfern, who is thought to work as a gas fitter, had lived at one of the many bungalows on the road for more than 20 years.

One neighbour, John Clough, said the mother and daughter were “inseparable” and were often seen out together.