A boy of 15 arrested over the murder of “inspirational” teacher Ann Maguire was being questioned by detectives for the first time today.
Interviews were delayed because of his age and police said they were expected to take “some time”.
The boy remained in custody following the death yesterday of Spanish teacher Mrs Maguire, 61, who was attacked in front of year 11 pupils in a classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.
Today it emerged that Mrs Maguire, who had worked at the school throughout her 40-year career, was due to retire in September. A post mortem examination showed that she died from multiple stab wounds, police said.
.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, of West Yorkshire Police, called the killing “unprecedented” and “tragic”.
Speaking at a press conference outside the school, he added: “Given his young age, this is a process which needs to be handled very sensitively, and may take some time to complete. The pupils who witnessed this incident are still being interviewed by specialist officers who are very experienced in dealing with child witnesses and will ensure that their safety is paramount.”
Mrs Maguire’s daughter, Emma-Jane Maguire, 30, an acclaimed solo dancer at the Royal Ballet in London, was today said to have returned to the family home in Leeds where she joined her father Donald, 62, a landscape gardener, and older sister Kerry, 32, an osteopath who lives in York.
Children returned to lessons this morning, streaming past floral tributes laid at the gates. A service took place this morning at an adjacent church and candles were lit in Mrs Maguire’s memory.
The suspect is believed to have held a grudge after previously being given a detention. He was described by peers as “clever but weird”.
