Police wait at stab girl's bedside

Detectives hope that a girl fighting for her life in hospital may hold vital information that could solve a double-death murder inquiry.

Ayeshea Collins, 13, was critically injured and her father Robert Jackson, 41, was stabbed to death at his home in Manchester on Sunday night. The attack happened in Moston at about 10.20pm, police said.

Darren Gasper, 34, who is suspected to have carried out the knife attack on the father and daughter, also died of stab injuries after hijacking a car and driving it into the side of a pub at about 1am on Monday in nearby Harpurhey.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else involved in the attacks and are now waiting to question the teenager, who they believe is the only witness.

Her mother, named locally as Samantha Collins, who separated from Mr Jackson a decade ago, is at her bedside, according to neighbours.

A man who knew both dead men said Darren Gasper was well known to local police.

It is not yet known why he visited Mr Jackson's house, where he had lived for more than 20 years. According to locals, his daughter, his only child, was only visiting the address and lives elsewhere with her mother.

Mr Jackson was found dead by officers at his home and his daughter, who attends Manchester Communication Academy, was rushed to hospital.

Police were then alerted at about 1am after a man had threatened a car owner with a knife and stolen the vehicle in Watfield Walk in Harpurhey, about half a mile from the scene of the original attack. A short time later the vehicle was seen near Rochdale Road by police and when officers approached, the suspect drove the car into the side of the Alliance pub.

The driver was taken to hospital suffering from a stab wound and injuries consistent with a collision but died a short time later. No-one else was injured in the crash.