HOWZAT

"He called the police and subsequently a man was seen making off out of the back garden.

"A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths and the bodies of the victims remain at the crime scene."

The three-bedroomed house and its garden were sealed off by a police cordon as detectives searched the address, on a tree-lined street in the gated Holly Lodge estate.

In his retirement Mr Robinson did charity work with refugees and was a member of several community groups, including the local neighbourhood watch. Ms Hill said the couple had three grown-up daughters who did not live locally.

"We hope to get to them as their mum and dad have been slaughtered in their own home," said the officer.

"We believe that they were seen earlier this morning by residents. From the layout of the house, it appears they had got up and had breakfast, and that is what makes this such a tragedy."

Next door neighbour, Matthew Power, an orthodontist, said: "They had lived here for over five years and were known by everybody in the community.

"They were people who welcomed everybody and were known as extremely kind. They were just very good people, who contributed to society.

"Derek would lead the charge and would look after people. When I moved in next door a few months ago, he knocked on my door and said ’I’m your neighbour, let’s get to know you’.

"All of the neighbours are in a state of shock, and can’t understand how this can happen to people who are so good and so kind. We are all devastated, it is as if the whole neighbourhood has been shot with horror."

Mr Power said that other neighbours claimed to have seen a shirtless and bloodstained man running away from the scene.

Tim Leach, a former ITN cameraman who lives on the other side of the Robinson’s property said: "I was woken about 8am when I heard shouting, but thought little of it because I knew there were workmen due to be next door.

"I simply thought it was Derek laughing with the decorator, so I can't believe it may have been them shouting for help.

"We have had the usual trouble with noisy teenagers and car break-ins, but nothing like this.

"My first thoughts are: ’Why them?’ This makes us all feel scared. We know Derek was involved with the Neighbourhood Watch so wonder if this was someone with a grudge or if it was just a random attack."

A man was arrested at King's Cross at 12.30pm in connection with the killings after information from a member of the public. He is understood not to be related to the couple.

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