Boy, 10, is charged over flats death

JONATHAN FOSTER

A 10-year-old boy was charged last night with the manslaughter of a pensioner who suffered massive head injuries when she was hit by a lump of concrete.

Edna Condie, 74, died as she and her husband and daughter were entering a block of flats in Leeds on Tuesday.

West Yorkshire Police said the boy would stay in custody overnight and appear at Leeds Youth Court this morning.

Two boys aged 9 and 10 who were also arrested were released without charge after being questioned by police.

Mrs Condie's skull was shattered by the slab outside Grayson Heights in Kirkstall, Leeds, as she returned from a shopping trip with her husband George, 76, and daughter Janet, 43.

Leeds council housing chiefs said they were investigating reports that other heavy objects had been thrown from buildings in the area. They have also promised to look at tower block security.

Eric Bowen, director of Leeds housing services, said there had been trouble throughout the summer holidays. "What we will be looking at when we get more information is whether there are lessons to be learnt."

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