Man remanded in custody over brother's stabbing

Victim's brother charged with murder after attack that also left sister injured

(PA)

A 20-year-old man was remanded in custody by magistrates today charged with the murder of his younger brother.

Daniel Taylor appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court charged with the murder of nine-year-old Jack Taylor, killed in a frenzied knife attack which left his 18-year-old sister injured.

Neighbours reported hearing screams shortly before 8pm on Thursday from the backyard of a house in the Wibsey area of Bradford, West Yorkshire. The boy, named locally as Jackson Taylor, lived with his parents, sister and a different brother. He had tried to run away out of the backdoor of the red brick home after being confronted by a knifeman. He was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was pronounced dead from multiple stab wounds.

His sister, Rachel, suffered stab wounds to the arm. It is believed she was wounded when she stepped in trying to protect her younger brother. She was still receiving treatment yesterday although her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Officers led a 20-year-old man away in handcuffs. A team of psychiatric workers were seen entering the house shortly after police arrived. Officers had been repeatedly called to the area last year after complaints about antisocial behaviour.

Last night West Yorkshire Police said that Daniel Taylor had been charged with murder and wounding with intent.

Shocked friends paid tribute to Jackson, who was described as a popular and talented boy who loved playing football and go-karting. The youngster, who was known as Jack, was often seen riding his bicycle in the road outside the family's home.

Darren Hyland described a scene of pandemonium with people screaming and running round with no shirts on as paramedics battled in vain to revive him. "He was a fantastic little lad, so full of energy. I used to take him go-karting. He was such a lovely lad. Everybody liked him – he had that cheekiness and was so talented at everything he did. It is so sad."

Dale Webster, 24, who lives across the road from where the stabbing took place, said Jack had come to collect sponsorship money from him a couple of months ago. "That was the last time I saw him," Mr Webster said. "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."

Police entered the estate in numbers yesterday and a forensics tent was erected in the back yard of the house on Rookes Avenue where the incident took place. Five houses were cordoned off with police tape while officers stood in the snow guarding the front and back doors of a semi-detached house on Richardson Avenue where the boy lived.

Trevor Bairstow, whose 10-year-old granddaughter, Leah went to school with Jack, said the boy attended the local Wibsey Primary School. "He was a normal little lad. I used to see him playing out and about," he said. "He never bothered us. What can you say? He's a nine-year-old boy who's been stabbed. It's shocking."

A female resident said: "The family is really fantastic, and nice and friendly. They keep themselves to themselves. They've only lived here for two or three years."

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

Wibsey, on the outskirts of Bradford, is best known to millions of television viewers as the home of Wibsey Working Men's Club, which featured in the BBC's controversial White series examining the decline of the modern British working class.