Man, 45, is questioned in murder inquiry

This was a tragic story which left a young baby orphaned without a mother. Having said that I was impressed to see the response from the local community and I followed the story over the next few days.

It was possibly one of the earliest occasions where I used social media for a story. So here are a few of the resulting stories following the initial front page splash.

When I was first on the scene I thought it looked familiar but I did not immediately make the connection.

POLICE last night launched a murder inquiry after a 29-year-old woman died following an assault in Scarborough.

Police arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with the incident at an address in Southwold Rise, Eastfield.

Officers had been called to the property at about 11.30am on Sunday after it was reported that a woman was unconscious, they revealed yesterday.

Although the woman has not been officially named by police it is understood that she was Laura Smith. She was taken to Scarborough Hospital by ambulance.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said a man was helping with inquiries: “A 45-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is in police custody for questioning.”

It is expected the man will appear before magistrates today.

The spokesman added: “A police scene guard was placed at the address while the forensic examination of the scene continues. House-to-house inquiries have been carried out in the effort to determine the full circumstances.”

Yesterday two police vehicles were still at the scene while they waited for forensic officers to complete their investigations.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

Quiet cul-de-sac shocked at death

NEIGHBOURS and friends have spoken of their shock after the death of 29-year-old Laura Smith, who was attacked in her Southwold Rise home.

The normal tranquility of the Eastfield cul-de-sac was shattered following the sudden arrival of police officers on Sunday morning when Miss Smith was found unconscious.

One neighbour, who would not give her name, said she had not realised anything had happened until the police turned up. She said: “I was surprised when the police turned up because it’s normally quiet around here.”

Miss Smith and her partner were also described as a “lovely couple” who kept themselves to themselves.

Another neighbour added: “They were a very private family. It’s been a nightmare and I can’t believe what has gone on. You don’t expect it to happen on your doorstep.”

One witness, who has been working in the area, said he wondered what had happened when he saw police were still there on both Monday and yesterday.

He said: “I just didn’t know what was going on. I just carried on with my work and didn’t hear a thing. They were there all Monday. This is a lovely little street and it just shows you this can happen anywhere.”

Friends were quick to pay online tributes through social networking sites such as Facebook. Tricia Prentice wrote: “I can’t believe I’m writing this. RIP Laura. I am devastated beyond words.”

Aimee White added: “Complete shock, RIP one of the most loved people I have met.”

Nicole Coley McGirr simply said: “Sleep tight” and Hannah Rebecca added: “Totally lost for words. RIP Laura Marie.”

Police launched a murder inquiry on Monday night when Miss Smith died following Sunday’s assault.

Officers arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with the incident and he appeared at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

They were called to the Southwold Rise property at about 11.30am on Sunday and the victim was taken to Scarborough Hospital by ambulance.

Police were still guarding the scene yesterday and crime scene investigators visited the property on Monday to carry out forensic tests.

Officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries in the effort to determine the full circumstances.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, July 14, 2010.

Laura: 1000 people mourn for her

A HUGE amount of tributes have been pouring in for murdered Scarborough hairdresser Laura Smith.

The 29-year-old mother died on Monday following a serious assault at her home in Eastfield on Sunday.

Friends have set up a tribute page on the social networking website Facebook which attracted more than 1000 members in just one day.

The page states that she was “a beautiful person who would be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her”.

Floral tributes were left by well-wishers in the doorway of Hair by Helena, in Westborough, where Miss Smith worked.

The salon was closed this week and was due to reopen today.

Work colleague Hannah Rebecca uploaded several photographs of her friend to Facebook and added: “RIP Laura. You shall be truly missed.

“You did not deserve this. Going to miss your laughs and banter in the salon and being my agony aunt.

“It will never be the same. A special friend, mummy, daughter and granddaughter has been taken away from us.

“Love you blondie, one heck of a gorgeous lady, missing you already.”

Jason Carroll added: “RIP Laura, my thoughts go out to your family at this sad time, sleep peacefully.”

Cherise Low stated: “RIP Laura my thoughts are with your family and friends.”

Tania Harrison Reay Goldstone wrote: “RIP Laura. Such a lovely individual taken away so tragically and left many loved ones behind. You’ll be missed immensely but never forgotten. Sweet dreams up there.”

Jackie Harrison added: “RIP Laura may the angels look after you. You were a good person and will be very sadly missed by all. My heart goes out to your family. May God bless them at this hard time.”

Christine Shepherd was moved by what she had read on the web page. She wrote: “Just reading all the tributes to Laura on this site makes us weepy.

“The love and sorrow that has been shown on this site lets us know how very special Laura was.

“She has touched so many lives and left them enriched. Laura must have been a lovely person. Scarborough and the world in general has lost a true gem.”

A lot of people’s thoughts were for her family and young baby. Barbara McBurney wrote: “Col and Pat if you read this, words cannot do justice to the sympathy we feel for you at this very sad and tragic time, we are all in complete shock and our hearts go out to you.”

Emma Bennett added: “Words cannot express, RIP Laura my heart goes out to the family.”

Karen Whyman wrote: “RIP Laura you will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you. Our thoughts are with your family and your little girl.”

Cheryl Trotter wrote: “RIP Laura you are going to be sadly missed. You weren’t just a workmate for six years you were a soul mate to me. We have had such a good laugh and I will never forget you.”

Police were called to Southwold Rise after Miss Smith was reported unconscious at about 11.30am on Sunday.

She was taken to Scarborough Hospital and officers launched a murder inquiry on Monday night after she died.

Miss Smith’s partner, Nigel Pickard, 45, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court today.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

Colleagues pay tribute to Laura

A SCARBOROUGH hair salon owner and staff have spoken about their shock and sadness at losing much-loved colleague Laura Smith.

The 29-year-old mum died on Monday following a serious assault at her home in Eastfield on Sunday.

She had worked as a hairdresser at Hair by Helena, in Westborough, since the age of 16 when she left Pindar School.

Salon owner Helena Scott said that she found it hard to put into words just how special and well loved Laura was.

She said: “I wish I could thank her for being a part of my life. She wasn’t just visually beautiful, she was beautiful inside and had such a wonderful sense of humour.

“I feel that she was the Princess Diana of Scarborough because she has left such a big hole in everyone’s lives.”

Mrs Scott added that reopening the salon yesterday had been very difficult, but she feels that it has helped staff and customers and is what Laura would have wanted.

She said: “We’ve had so many bunches of flowers, cards and texts from people all over the world.

“People are just devastated by it. We’re just trying to do our best and we’re doing it out of respect for her.”

Cheryl Trotter, 21, who has worked at the salon for six years, said: “It’s losing part of our family – she was like a big sister to us.

“She was bossy but we all used to laugh about it. Everyone looked up to her.

“It’ll never be the same without her.”

Hannah Clubley, 19, who has worked at the salon for four years, said: “Laura was always smiling and cheery.

“She helped us with all our problems and was like an agony aunt to us. She was just such a lovely person.”

A Facebook page which was set up in memory of Miss Smith already has more than 1500 members and a second, which is calling for justice, now has more than 700 members.

Sam Kennedy, who set up both pages, said she was surprised so many people had joined and left messages of support.

She said: “It was just a way for people to say how they felt and to send condolences to her parents. I never imagined in a million years that so many people would join.”

People can show their solidarity by joining in a one minute silence and by lighting a candle in Miss Smith’s memory at 9pm on Sunday.

Ms Kennedy, who grew up in Eastfield but now lives in Middlesbrough, said that 150 people had confirmed they would be joining in Sunday’s event.

“What has happened has taken a mother away from her daughter. It’s heartbreaking and words cannot describe it,” she said.

Police were called to Southwold Rise after Miss Smith was reported unconscious at about 11.30am on Sunday.

She was taken to Scarborough Hospital and officers launched a murder inquiry on Monday night after she died.

Miss Smith’s partner, Nigel Pickard, 45, has been charged with murder and will make his next court appearance at Leeds on September 24.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Friday, July 16, 2010.

Laura lit up people’s lives say parents

THE parents of a murdered Scarborough hairdresser have paid tribute to their daughter.

In a statement issued by North Yorkshire Police, Colin and Trish Smith said that their daughter, 29-year-old Laura, lit up people’s lives with her zest for life and bubbly personality.

They said: “From the day Laura was born our hearts swelled with pride and love. She was a happy child with a most wonderful smile that everyone commented on.

“She talked from a very early age and engaged everyone with her chatter. We moved back to Scarborough from Loftus when Laura was seven and she worried she would not make new friends, but again she easily fitted in.

“It was evident at school that she had a more creative side to her, and when she left school she went to work at Hair by Helena where she had been the Saturday girl. She did this up to her death.

“It was an excellent profession for her to be in. She did well and won many hairdressing competitions and had a full client base.”

They added that she mixed with many generations and everyone had good things to say about her.

“She lit up the lives of many people with her zest for life and bubbly personality. She had no side, what you saw was what she was like,” the statement read.

“When she gave birth to Olivia in December last year she struggled a little at first through lack of sleep.

“Olivia was a colicky baby who did not sleep much. It worried us to see her like this. We helped her and, as her mum, I became even closer to her. Laura said to me I became her best friend too.

“But she pulled herself through those difficult months and was a super mum who doted on her Olivia. She did a wonderful job.

“In Olivia, Laura lives on. She too has an engaging smile and a lively personality. The world for us and the family will be a less brighter place. Laura was the sunshine of our days and the twinkling stars of our nights. An angel in the making.”

Police were called to Southwold Rise, Eastfield, after Miss Smith was reported unconscious at about 11.30am on Sunday.

She was taken to Scarborough Hospital and officers launched a murder inquiry on Monday night after she died.

Miss Smith’s partner, Nigel Pickard, 45, has been charged with murder and is next due to appear at Leeds Crown Court at the end of September.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Saturday, July 17, 2010.

Friends rally to Laura’s baby girl

FRIENDS and colleagues of tragic Scarborough hairdresser Laura Smith have set up a trust fund to help her baby daughter.

The killing of the 29-year-old mother almost two weeks ago has left Olivia to grow up without her mum and she has no brothers or sisters.

Miss Smith’s former partner has been charged with her murder.

Funds are now being collected to help secure the future well-being of seven-month-old daughter Olivia, who is now being brought up by her grandparents who will be retiring and who are concerned about the little girl’s prospects.

Laura’s mother Trish Smith, 55, said she and her husband Colin, 60, have been “overwhelmed” by the support.

She said yesterday:“We did not expect anything like this.Words cannot describe how grateful we are.

“The fund is going to be a huge help. We are going to be retiring in a few years and now face the daunting task of bringing up a child.

“Obviously we don’t think twice about doing it, but we were worried about how we would cope. This fund will help towards securing Olivia’s future.”

Mrs Smith told the Evening News: “Laura would have done anything for her daughter, but she is not here to do that anymore, so we will be doing the best we can for her.

“The fund is also keeping Laura’s memory alive. The amount of people who have donated really shows how well she was thought of and what a wonderful mum she was becoming.

“It is a huge help for us to have something positive like this to focus on at this time. Thank you so much to Laura’s friends, everyone who has supported the trust and the people of Scarborough.”

The fund was organised by Laura’s former employers at Hair by Helena, in Westborough, where she had worked since the age of 16.

Salon owner Helena Scott said there had been countless offers from people wanting to donate money in Laura’s memory.

She added: “People want to know that their money is safe and won’t be touched.”

Alan Scott, her husband, said the money would be ringfenced under the control of a board of trustees.

He said: “All the customers wanted to donate money and they were asking where they could donate it to.

“We thought it would be a good idea to set up a trust fund for when Olivia is older to give her a start in life – for her education or whatever.”

Police were called to Southwold Rise, Eastfield, after Miss Smith was reported unconscious at about 11.30am on Sunday, July 11.

She was taken to Scarborough Hospital and officers launched a murder inquiry the following evening after she died.

Miss Smith’s ex-partner, Nigel Pickard, 45, of Filey Road, has been charged with murder and is next due to appear at Leeds Crown Court at the end of September.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Boy, 13, fights for life

Sometimes the only picture you can get from the scene is a shot of the location where the incident happened.

It was only later that I remembered about this tragic accident from a couple of years earlier to the murder. And, while the article does not specify the address, I am fairly sure it was the same street – but if not then it was in the same neighbourhood as both incidents were in Eastfield.

I remember at the time there was a discussion with the head of Scarborough CID at the scene of this incident to make sure we worded what had happened very carefully and specifically so that the feelings of the family were protected.

We had first met at the scene of the discovery of a body in the stream in Peasholm Glen a couple of years earlier and he knew he could trust me to produce a report on an incident which was a true representation of what had happened.

Over the years I had worked with the detective on a number of cases and we built a relationship based on mutual trust.

You cannot put a price on that level of trust and it is all too easy to destroy that by sensationalising a story.

‘Tragic accident’ – teen is critical

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy is fighting for his life in Scarborough Hospital after a “tragic accident”.

The police and two ambulances were called to the boy’s home in Eastfield in the early hours of Monday morning.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: “We were called to the Eastfield area at 5.43pm and two ambulance crews were sent to the scene.

“One patient was taken to Scarborough Hospital.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the boy was in a “critically ill” condition.

“This is believed to have been a tragic accident and the incident is not being treated as suspicious,” he said.

He added that members of the boy’s family were with him and he was being cared for at Scarborough Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Neighbours said they had seen the ambulances at the family home but were unaware what had happened.

They described the family as private people who kept “themselves to themselves”.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Thursday, February 14, 2008.