The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Father arrested on suspicion of murder of girl stabbed to death
Bill Billingham is yet to be questioned as he is in a critical condition
The father of eight-year-old Mylee Billingham was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said, as tributes pour in for the schoolgirl.
Bill Billingham, 54, is in a critical condition in hospital after he was found with a stab wound to his stomach at the property on Valley View.
Mylee died in hospital on Saturday after she was found with knife wounds at the bungalow in Brownhills, near Walsall.
The suspect posted a picture of Mylee to his Facebook page shortly after police were called at 9.15 on Saturday night with the caption: “Pitza on bed lv moo x”.
In it, the young girl is seen tucked in bed and smiling towards the camera with two plates of pizza on her lap.
Floral tributes, notes and teddy bears have been tied to a post outside the property, in remembrance of Mylee.
One note read: “Mylee, our superstar dancer, you will be the brightest star shining in the sky tonight. We will never forget your happy, smiling face. Fly high xxxx.”
Another said: “We shouldn’t be writing this!!! Fly high princess into the arms of the angels...taken far too young, your pretty face we will never forget.”
A post-mortem examination will take place on Monday and police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
West Midlands Police say Billingham is yet to be questioned due to his condition. He is expected to undergo surgery.
Neighbour Graham Greatrex told the Press Association that the girl’s mother said a man had “stabbed my little girl” as he helped her.
The 74-year-old, who lives a few doors from the scene, added: “She was in shock and she couldn’t say anything else”.
Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “This is an absolutely tragic set of circumstances and my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.
“We are still at the early stages of understanding exactly what happened and why – but I can confirm we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation.”