Man held over fatal stabbing of teenager

Kieran Butterworth, 17, was yesterday named as the victim of the attack in Back Seaforth Avenue in Harehills.

He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary following the incident, which happened at 12.40pm on Tuesday, but died a short time later.

A post-mortem revealed the teenager, who lived nearby, had been stabbed multiple times at the entrance to a gated alleyway.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major inquiry team yesterday arrested a 27-year-old man from Woodhouse, Leeds, on suspicion of murder.

A police cordon, which had been put up around the scene, was removed at lunchtime yesterday, prompting family and friends to arrive in droves to lay flowers.

A message on one bunch read: “Kieran, big brother, we love you so much. You are truly missed. RIP Kie, you’re never forgotten, remain always in our hearts.”

Another said: “You’re an angel now and you always were. Love you so much.”

Gipton and Harehills councillor Roger Harrington attended a community meeting on Tuesday night where the incident was discussed.

He said people were “disturbed” but were not unduly worried.

“There are issues with drug dealing and one thing and another, but it’s not as if there are problems with gangs or repeated violence,” he said.

“You don’t want to be complacent for one second, but the police statistics just don’t show that there is a lot to worry about.”

Jan Bernacki, 49, who lives close to the scene, said there were long-term problems in the area and a tragedy was inevitable.

He said: “Of course, it’s shocking to see someone stabbed to death on your doorstep. But because of what happens on a daily basis – you see a lot of fighting and teenagers causing trouble – something like this will happen sooner or later.”