Man arrested after boy, 9, stabbed to death

Police were called at 7.46pm yesterday to a house on Rookes Avenue, Bradford, West Yorkshire, after reports of a stabbing.

West Yorkshire Police said the boy, who has not been named, was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary by ambulance but died from his injuries shortly after 8pm.

His 18-year-old sister was also taken to hospital with a stab wound but her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police said a post-mortem examination showed the boy died as a result of multiple stab wounds.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and assault.

Dale Webster, 24, who lives across the road from where the stabbing took place, spoke of his shock.

He described the victim as a "cute little lad" who came to collect sponsorship money from him a couple of months ago.

Mr Webster said: "That was the last time I saw him. He was a cute little lad. He was just a normal kid.

"I used to see him playing on his bike a lot. He came one day and asked me to sponsor him for school."

He said the street was usually quiet and peaceful but he added: "I've seen police go into that house a lot in the past. And I think a mental health team have gone to the home."

Mr Webster said he was shocked by the stabbing.

"I saw a police van outside the house last night," he said. "I didn't think much of it.

"There was no noise or anything like that. But then I heard about it on the TV this morning. It's appalling."

There was a substantial police presence on the estate today.