Garforth Mum And Daughter found dead

16 January 2012, 10:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man suspected of murdering his partner and her young daughter was arrested in West Yorkshire after a row with paramedics trying to treat him.

The 36-year-old was arrested at Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve near Castleford several miles away from where the bodies of his partner, Sarah Laycock, and her daughter Abigail were found in the family's home in Kirkby Avenue, Garforth, near Leeds.

He was seen limping through the park and when paramedics tried to help him- a row broke out and he was arrested. Officers later found the bodies of the 31-year-old woman and her eight-year-old daughter at his house.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers also found a four-year-old girl with minor injuries at the house. She was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and later discharged.

Kirkby Avenue remained sealed off. Officers could be seen standing outside the property and a large police van was parked at the front of the dormer-bungalow. Forensic officers wearing protective white suits were present at the side and rear of the property.

Neighbours spoke of their shock as news of the killings spread. 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. I was quite shocked when I heard."

At Fairburn Ings - an RSPB nature reserve - a small piece of police cordon tape could be seen tied to a gate leading to a track.

Further along the track, a police van was parked and two police officers stood guard on one of the reserve's public trails. The trail provides access to a number of birdwatchers' hides and runs around the main lake at Fairburn Ings.