Man Arrested Over Double Murder In Redcar

24 March 2016, 11:52 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering two women in separate attacks in Redcar.

Cleveland Police received a report that a woman had been seriously injured at an address in Mapleton Crescent, Redcar, at 8.45pm on Wednesday evening.

Just seven minutes later, at 8.52pm, a second report was received from a member of the public reporting that a woman was being violently assaulted in Byland Close.

Police said both women died after suffering serious injuries.

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder a short time after the incidents. He is currently in police custody.

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police declined to say whether or not it was a domestic incident, and did not give any indication of what age the women were.

One neighbour, who lives in Mapleton Crescent and wished to remain anonymous, told the Press Association that a woman has lived at the address which has been cordoned off for around 12 months and has a son.

She said:
"She is disabled, I think - carers come and go.

We are all so friendly here, but she was a one-off. We didn't really see her or hear her.

It is very quiet around here - we are all nice people on this close, it has come as a bit of a shock.''

A semi-detached bungalow was cordoned off in Mapleton Crescent, with two uniformed police officers standing guard.

Neighbour Dora Gillespie, 74, said the woman who lived there had been at the property for about a year following the death of the previous, elderly resident.

The neighbour said:
"It's very, very shocking. We've not had owt like this round here.''

Mrs Gillespie heard nothing last night, having closed her blinds and watched television, and the first she knew was after hearing of the incident on the news this morning.

Leonie Ing, 92, who lives opposite the bungalow, said the victim was disabled and had visits from a carer.

The former Post Office worker said:
"I didn't know the lady.

I once saw her walking down the road with her son and his girlfriend.

They stayed with her when she first moved.''

Mrs Ing said the neighbour lived alone latterly.

A white forensic tent was in place outside a modern terraced house in Byland Close, less than a mile away from the first scene.

An ambulance was parked with its front towards the house.

There appeared to be blood on the white door of a property near the tent.

Toys and play equipment could be seen in the back yard of the property where the second woman was murdered.

A much larger police cordon was in place than at the first murder scene.

The house in Byland Close was close to playing fields, and near a busy road with a care home and children's centre nearby.