Neighbours face up to tragedy in quiet street

Police tape cordoned off the street, in Garforth, Leeds, and officers stood guard at either end while forensic teams carried out their work, piecing together the events that led to Sarah Laycock, 31, and her daughter Abigail losing their lives in such tragic circumstances.

Their bodies were discovered at the house on Saturday after a man named by sources as John Miller was arrested at Fairburn Ings nature reserve, near Castleford, following an altercation with paramedics who were trying to treat him.

They had been called after a member of public saw Miller struggling to walk and alerted the emergency services.

Yesterday neighbours were coming to terms with the gravity of the events that had unfolded on their doorsteps and spoke of their shock.

Audrey Bottomley said: “My friend lives next door to them and when I have gone across the man has been at his van – I think he is a self-employed plasterer – and he would always say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’.

“He was out with his children on Christmas Day. They had some new bikes. He loved the children.I can’t understand it.”

“My friend who lives next door was here at my house – I went to the gate with her when she was leaving and a police car arrived, then another one and there were lots of flashing lights and people running up and down.

“The lady who lived there seemed quite shy and didn’t seem to mix with anyone on the street. It’s very quiet here.

“I am not sure if they were married but they have been there for about four or five years. I don’t think she worked and he sometimes used to go and get the children from school and walk them home.

“A friend said the woman usually goes to her sister’s every Saturday but her car was there all day yesterday,” the neighbour added.

Matthew Pease, another neighbour, said he knew the man who lived at the house where police are focusing their inquiries.

Mr Pease, who runs a DIY and builders’ merchants, said the man would come into his shop to buy supplies. “He seemed a normal guy, a regular plasterer. I would pass him in the street and say hello.”

A local shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said: “They seemed like such a nice, normal family.

“They would often come in to buy sweets for the children. It’s a shock. Loads of people have been talking about it. It’s such a quiet neighbourhood.”

Yesterday morning the road remained sealed off amid much police activity. Mounted police were also patrolling in the area.

Officers could be seen standing outside the property and a large police van was parked at the front of the semi-detached home.

Forensic officers could be seen at the side and rear of the property.

People left flowers at the scene and one woman, who did not wish to speak, had tears in her eyes as she passed by.

Some neighbours were given police escorts off the street as they left their homes to go to the shops, visit family or friends or get on with their normal routine.

Neighbour Janet Hutchinson described the family who lived at the home, where investigations were focused, as a “normal family”.

“We are all shocked,” she said. “You just don’t know what is going on in other houses, do you?”

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said he had not seen or heard anything but when he was going to bed he saw there were police officers in Kirkby Avenue.

It was not until the following morning, however, that he realised the full gravity of what had happened. He said: “It’s quiet. Everyone keeps themselves to themselves.”