Police hunt knife killer of Ladbroke manageress

(First Edition)

FIFTY detectives were last night hunting the killer of a young betting-shop manageress who was repeatedly stabbed in the back as she counted a day's takings in her office.

The bookmakers Ladbroke's yesterday offered a pounds 10,000 reward for information on the killer of Sian Collier, 24, who was attacked at the shop in Corporation Road, Newport, Gwent, some time after 5.45pm on Tuesday.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Waters, who is leading the inquiry, said the killer had used a long, thin-bladed weapon and would have left the shop heavily bloodstained. He appealed to Mrs Collier's customers to come forward with any information.

'This was an appalling and brutal attack on a defenceless young woman who suffered multiple stab wounds in her back as she was overpowered at her desk in the small office behind the main shop,' he said.

Police believe robbery was the motive, although Tuesday was a quiet day at the shop. Two policeman who forced their way in at 10.20pm found lights and racing monitor screens still on. Her car was parked near by.

They were alerted by her husband, Andrew, after she failed to arrive at their home in Griffithstown, near Pontypool. He was being comforted by relatives.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: 'Mrs Collier was a hard-working and popular manager, and her tragic death has shocked and deeply upset her customers and colleagues.'