Police arrest man for petrol attack after he sent his mother a birthday card

Stephen Archer is being held in custody over the death of a 49-year-old woman

Stephen Archer has been charged on suspicion of murder following a petrol attack on a 49-year-old woman (Greater Manchester Police)

A 50-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after he sent his mother a birthday card.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said armed officers made the arrest after an off-duty officer spotted Stephen Archer getting off a train at Marple railway station near Stockport.

A 49-year-old woman, reported to be his sister, died of her injuries in hospital after suffering 70 per cent burns following the attack in Newton Heath, Manchester on Monday.

Archer’s mother, Wendy, made a direct appeal for her son to hand himself into police after she received a birthday card from him.

She said: "Steve, I have got your card. I want you to know that no-one is controlling me and no-one is forcing me to send this message to you.

"I know you think I am covering things up but I am not. I do not want any harm to come to you. Will you please contact the police."

Officers were called to a house shortly before 9:45am on Monday to reports that a man had deliberately set fire to a woman.

A 19-year-old woman escaped uninjured from an upstairs window of the house with help from neighbours, police said.

Police issued an appeal to find Archer earlier this week saying he was considered dangerous.

They asked petrol station workers in the area to be “extra vigilant” and report any possible sightings.

Additional reporting by PA