Parents 'unaware children were murdered'

THE parents of a brother and sister murdered by a fireraiser remain sedated in hospital and are unaware that their children are dead, police have said.

Thomas and Angela Starkey, who are being treated for severe burns, have not been told that 21-year-old Thomas jnr, a promising golfer, and his eight-year-old sister Bridget lost their lives in the fire.

Yesterday, flags hung at half mast at the golf course where Thomas had been due to compete in the Scottish Amateur Championship - while neighbours and friends described his little sister as "an absolute gem".

Both parents are said to be suffering from serious burns - 55-year-old Mr Starkey, who raised the alarm by jumping from a first-floor window, is being treated at Glasgow Royal Infirmary while his 46-year-old wife Angela is being treated at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Detective Chief Inspector Anne McKerchar, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "We haven't yet spoken to the parents, They are critically injured and under sedation.

"This is a tragic event made worse by the fact that it was a deliberate act."

She said police believed the answers lay within the local community.

"The family are known locally and are also well-known to the police," she said.

"We are following a number of lines of inquiry, but we think the key to this investigation lies within the town of Helensburgh."

Jim Brown, 63, a friend of the family, broke down in the street in tears as he spoke of the dead youngsters.

"They were two beautiful children," he said. "Tommy was just delightful and Bridget was a little angel.

"Their dad Tommy is such a good friend of mine and has been for 20 years.

"I have watched his children grow up from babies. Tommy would do anything for his kids and he worked his heart out sending Thomas to America on a golf scholarship."

Ann Chalmers, the headteacher at St Joseph's primary school in Helensburgh, where both siblings were pupils, said: "We are absolutely devastated and saddened to hear Bridget and Thomas have died.

"Bridget was a beautiful child, very talented, an excellent all-rounder and enthusiastic pupil who was a lovely singer, dancer and artist.

"It is so tragic to lose two fine young people who had everything to live for. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with them and their families and friends."

Golfers at Western Gailes near Irvine yesterday also paid tribute to Thomas, a promising young sportsman, who was on a sports scholarship to Georgia Southern University in the United States. The youngster had travelled home to Scotland for the championship event, being held at Western Gailes this week.Hamish Grey, chief executive of the Scottish Golf Union, said: "It is a desperately sad situation and our thoughts are with the family.

"He played in our championships at various age groups."

Michael Stewart, Scotland's top-ranked amateur and the defending champion, said: "I played in the Scottish Boys and Faldo Series with Thomas. He was a nice guy and was always asking me how I was getting on.

"I feel so sorry for his family."

Parish priest Father Peter Lennon, of St Joseph's Church, said: "It is dreadful. The wee girl was an absolute gem. I have spoken to their relatives. They are just shocked."

Police said post-mortem examinations would be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

Crimestoppers yesterday offered a 10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the fire.

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' deputy chief executive, said: "Two innocent siblings have lost their lives in this heinous incident.

"A reward of up to 10,000 is being offered to anyone who can supply us with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

"I hope the offender or offenders will be swiftly brought to justice and would urge anyone with information to contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or using our anonymous online information form."