Pupil, 15, held after teacher stabbed to death

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a long-serving teacher was repeatedly stabbed to death at a school in front of her pupils.

Tributes have been paid to the teacher, named as 61-year-old Anne Maguire, who was fatally injured at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds yesterday morning.

West Yorkshire Police detectives said the arrested boy is in custody.

Chief Supt Paul Money said teachers at the school held the suspect until police arrived, shortly before midday. The teacher died later in hospital.

He said: “A 15-year-old male pupil from the school was detained at the scene by other members of teaching staff immediately after the incident occurred.

“The alarm was raised by students in the school, some of whom witnessed the offence.”

He said a knife had been recovered and added: “There were a number of stab wounds to the lady in question.”

Prime minister David Cameron joined current and former pupils in paying tribute to a “legend” teacher, described by many as a “mother figure” at the school. David Cameron said: “My thoughts are with the family of Anne Maguire, as well as the staff and pupils of Corpus Christi school, where she was stabbed to death.”

A collection of flowers began to build outside the school gate. One message read: “To a special teacher. We was all sad about it. I will never forget you.”