Neighbours have spoken of their shock after a
13-year-old-girl was left fighting for her life from a stabbing attack
in which her father died.
The pair - named locally as Robert Jackson, 41, and his daughter Ayesha
- were knifed at Mr Jackson's home in Moston, north Manchester on
Sunday night.The suspected attacker also died with stab wounds a short time later after driving a car into the wall of a nearby pub.
Police found the seriously injured girl and the body of her father at 10.20pm in the Delta Walk house.
Neighbours said former carpet fitter Mr Jackson was separated from Ayesha's mother, named locally as Sam Collins, and that the teenager was visiting him when the attack happened.
He was described as quiet but well-liked on the estate where he had lived for more than 20 years.
A few hours after arriving at Mr Jackson's home, police were called to Watfield Walk in Harpurhey, a two-mile drive away, after reports that a man had threatened a car owner with a knife before stealing the vehicle.
The car was then seen by police near Rochdale Road, where a 34-year-old named locally as Darren Gasper drove it into the side of the Alliance Inn pub as officers approached him.
He was taken to hospital suffering from a stab wound and injuries from the crash but died a short time later.
The two men are said to be known to each other.
One man who said he was friends with both dead men said: "Darren was more one of the boys round here. He'd been in jail. He was a tough kid, a big lad.
"I heard Ayesha was upstairs when it started and came down to protect her dad.
"They both had kids, it's sad what this leaves behind for them."
Mr Jackson's neighbour, Clare Calvert, told Sky News: "He was the nicest bloke you'd ever meet ... He'd bend over backwards to help anybody - (he) wouldn't hurt a fly."
She described Ayesha, Mr Jackson's only child, as "lovely".
Another elderly neighbour said he was "very quiet" and "didn't have any enemies".
A woman who lived nearby said: "He was known by everyone as Jacko, always said hello and his girl was absolutely beautiful. I only saw them together yesterday walking down the street."
Ayesha is understood to attend the Manchester Communication Academy.
Forensics officers are at the scene of the attack, where an area around the house has been sealed off. Flowers have been left nearby.
Sky's Nick Martin, who is in Moston, said: "The priority now will be to ensure that the girl pulls through - she will have critical information about the events that played out here."
Detective Superintendent Simon Barraclough, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are in the very early stages of our inquiries and are piecing together the circumstances that led to two men losing their lives and a 13-year-old girl fighting for her life in hospital.
"Obviously the community will be shocked as to what has happened but we can say we do not believe anyone else was involved and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident."
Harpurhey has been regularly cited as one of the most deprived inner-city areas in Britain. Mr Jackson's mother lives nearby and was recently widowed.
Source
Yahoo news
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