Murder probe after knifing

Mar 14 2010 by Dan Warburton, Sunday Sun

Det Supt Kevin Toole, from Lancashire Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team, said: “We are at the very early stages of an investigation.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and contact us. I need to build up a clear picture of events in order to establish what has happened.”

Supt Jon Puttock, from Lancaster Police, said: “I would like to reassure the public that crimes of this nature are very rare.

“Our local neighbourhood police teams will be out in the area throughout the day and engaging with residents to provide a high-visibility presence and to offer reassurances to the local community.”

Homeowners living in School House Lane where the incident happened last night revealed their shock at the tragic death and claimed Tracy was attacked as children made their way to school.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “She parked her car up and took her bike out of the back and, as she was doing so, she was attacked.

“The milkman was delivering on the street at the time, though there were no kids about.

“After the attack the man just got back in his vehicle and waited for the police to arrive.”

Another homeowner said: “She got a bike out of the car when it happened. There was some screaming, but I didn’t see what happened.

“It is so shocking because this is a nice little village, nothing ever happens here – certainly not crime like this.”

Noel Townley, who lives in the same street, said: “There would have been kids walking around at that time, going to the local primary school.

“It’s a quiet country village so it has shocked everybody really. Stuff like this doesn’t go on in the village.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01524 63333 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Yesterday John Dryden, 43, of Thacking Lane, Ingleton, North Yorkshire, was charged with murder and remanded in custody to appear before Lancaster Magistrates Court tomorrow.