This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/30/couple-and-young-son-stabbed-in-their-west-midlands-home

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mother and son stabbed to death in West Midlands home Mother and son stabbed to death in West Midlands home
(about 1 hour later)
A mother and her 13-year-old son have been stabbed to death at their home in Stourbridge, police said.A mother and her 13-year-old son have been stabbed to death at their home in Stourbridge, police said.
The woman’s husband was seriously injured in the attack on Thursday, West Midlands police said. A man in his 20s, who is believed to have been known to the victims, was arrested in a nearby street on suspicion of murder and wounding. He was stopped in a Land Rover stolen from outside the family’s house. The woman’s husband was seriously injured in the attack on Thursday, West Midlands police said. Local press named him as businessman Peter Wilkinson, 47, and his wife as Tracey. Police said they were not in a position to confirm the identities but confirmed that next of kin had been informed.
The son who was killed is understood to attend a local school, and their older daughter is believed to have been away at university. Peter Wilkinson runs Hill and Smith, a firm that manufactures safety barriers. The company declined to comment.
A man in his 20s, who is believed to have been known to the victims, was arrested in a nearby street on suspicion of murder and wounding. He was stopped in a Land Rover stolen from outside the family’s house.
Supt Lee Kendrick, of Dudley police, said: “What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking. Police and ambulance were confronted with an awful scene: a man, woman and boy all with very serious stab injuries. The woman and boy were found in the house and the man in the garden.Supt Lee Kendrick, of Dudley police, said: “What has unfolded here this morning is horrific and heart-breaking. Police and ambulance were confronted with an awful scene: a man, woman and boy all with very serious stab injuries. The woman and boy were found in the house and the man in the garden.
“Tragically, there was nothing that could be done to save the woman – and her son later died in hospital from his injuries. Our hearts go out to the victims’ family and friends at this devastating news,” he said.“Tragically, there was nothing that could be done to save the woman – and her son later died in hospital from his injuries. Our hearts go out to the victims’ family and friends at this devastating news,” he said.
He said the suspect was not a relative but may have been living at the house. “We don’t think this was a burglary or a robbery.”He said the suspect was not a relative but may have been living at the house. “We don’t think this was a burglary or a robbery.”
One wellwisher who left flowers said she believed Wilkinson helped the young man out.
Police and ambulance services were called to the property in the Norton area of Stourbridge just after 8am. The suspect was arrested about half an hour later in Norton Street.Police and ambulance services were called to the property in the Norton area of Stourbridge just after 8am. The suspect was arrested about half an hour later in Norton Street.
West Midlands fire service said it was called to make the vehicle safe after a police pursuit, which ended with smoke coming from the Land Rover Discovery after it crashed into a brick wall.West Midlands fire service said it was called to make the vehicle safe after a police pursuit, which ended with smoke coming from the Land Rover Discovery after it crashed into a brick wall.
The mother, believed to be in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son was taken to Birmingham children’s hospital but could not be saved. His father was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, where he is being treated for stab wounds to his chest and back. Tracey Wilkinson, believed to be in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son was taken to Birmingham children’s hospital but could not be saved. His father was taken to Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, where he is being treated for stab wounds to his chest and back. Police said he was in a serious but stable condition. Peter Wilkinson is the managing director of Asset International Vehicle Restraint Systems, which makes and supplies safety barriers.
A West Midlands ambulance spokesman said: ““Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, it became apparent at the scene that nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed deceased. A West Midlands ambulance spokesman said: “Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, it became apparent at the scene that nothing could be done to save the woman and she was confirmed deceased.
“The teenage boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and received specialist trauma care and advanced life support from our staff. He was taken on blue lights to Birmingham children’s hospital with treatment continuing en route.“The teenage boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and received specialist trauma care and advanced life support from our staff. He was taken on blue lights to Birmingham children’s hospital with treatment continuing en route.
“Sadly, shortly after arrival in A&E and despite the best efforts of ambulance staff and hospital medics, he could not be saved and he was also confirmed dead.”“Sadly, shortly after arrival in A&E and despite the best efforts of ambulance staff and hospital medics, he could not be saved and he was also confirmed dead.”
Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. They are trying to establish the relationship between the suspect and the family. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. They are trying to establish the relationship between the suspect and the family. Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands police on 101.
Anyone with information is urged to contact West Midlands police on 101. Their home is a large red-bricked house that they have lavished time and money lovingly restoring. Tracey Wilkinson, understood to have been a talented amateur ballroom dancer, proudly showed her new kitchen to neighbours.
Maggie Planes, who lives nearby, said the couple were security conscious, always shutting the iron gates of their house. She did not know of any lodger staying with the family.
A couple who lived a few doors down told how they used to see Mr Wilkinson walking his greyhound along the street. A man, who did not want to be named, added: “Peter and Tracey have lived there for about seven or eight years. They’ve got a son who is 13 and a daughter who is in her first year at university.
“We know them to talk to and say hello to. We would see Peter walking his greyhound along the road and he would always stop to talk. They were a nice, normal family. They were lovely. We used to go to the same pub as them up the road and they were very friendly.”
His wife added: “I think Tracey was a housewife and Peter was a company director. He was always travelling. Their parents were interested in buying our old house when we sold it a few years ago so they came around. They invited us into their house and it was beautiful inside, they have done it up really well.”