Tributes paid to murder victim Pamela Glen

Police were called to the home of Pamela Glen, also known as Pamela Turner, in the Spring Hill area of Darlington, at 11.50pm on Friday after reports that a woman had been stabbed.

Ms Glen, a mother of two, was rushed to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she died at 1.30am.

A post-mortem examination found she died from stab wounds.

Joseph William Turner, 61, of Sanderson Street, Darlington, has been charged with murder and will appear before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today. (Monday, October 22)

Police last night refused to confirm what the relationship was between Ms Glenn and Mr Turner.

The attack on Ms Glen is the third stabbing incident in Darlington within a week – police have reassured residents that the attacks were not connected and that in each case an offender has been identified and arrested.

The family of Ms Glen, a grandmother of six and a great-grandmother of one, paid tribute to her in a short statement.

They said: “She was a much loved and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be sadly missed."

The family also thanked neighbours who came to Ms Glen’s assistance as she lay wounded and tried to give her first aid.

Police and forensics teams investigating Ms Glen’s death remained at the scene yesterday (Sunday) and are carrying out house to house enquiries.

Selaby House, the block of flats Ms Glen lived in, was also cordoned off during the investigations.

People living in Spring Hill, off Whessoe Road, expressed surprise at the incident and said they had not heard that anything had happened until they woke to find the police cordon on Saturday morning.

Richard Preston, 24, said: “We heard a few fireworks going off but we didn’t think anything of it. We didn’t know anything had happened until we got up this morning and saw all the tape and the police vans.

“It’s always been a quiet area, we hardly even see anyone walking around.”

Chris Sullivan, a member of the tenants panel who represents residents at the council, agreed that the cul-de-sac is a quiet area that rarely sees any trouble.

He said: “I didn’t hear or see anything until I got up to walk the dog first thing. I tried to ask the police what was going on but they weren’t giving much away.

“It’s very quiet round here, we never get much bother, except kids occasionally, but as a rule it’s fine.”

Officers have also been working at Mr Turner’s flat, in Sanderson Street, off Borough Road, for much of the weekend.

His neighbours yesterday described him as a quiet man who did not speak about his private life.

Detective Chief Inspector Victoria Fuller, who is leading the investigation, said: "It's important that we establish the exact sequence of events leading up to Pamela's death.

"We've already interviewed a number of key witnesses but still need to speak to anyone who may have noticed any unusual activity in the area or witnessed any kind of disturbance.

"We will also be speaking to Pamela's family, friends and associates so we can build up a picture of her lifestyle and daily routine."

Police in Darlington have moved to reassure people that knife crime is not on the increase in the town after a spate of violent incidents in the last week.

Daniel Bell, 20, of Forster Street, Darlington, was remanded in custody after he was charged with grievous bodily harm by wounding.

Bell is accused of attacking an 18-year-old with a glass bottle in Lowe Street, Darlington, at 3am on Saturday, October 13.

The teenager suffered cuts to his arms, chest and stomach and is now recovering after emergency surgery. No pleas were entered and Bell will appear before Teesside Crown Court today.

James Munro, 21, of Sorrel Close, Darlington, also appeared before magistrates charged with grievous bodily harm by wounding and possessing an offensive weapon, in an incident that happened on Saturday afternoon.

Forensic investigators at the scene of the murder of Pamela Glen

The charges relate to an incident near a children's play area in Glebe Road, Darlington, in the early hours of Saturday when a teenager was stabbed with a kitchen knife in the back, shoulder and neck. His injuries were not said to be life-threatening.

No pleas were entered and Munro was remanded in custody. He will also appear at Teesside Crown Court today.

Duty Inspector Chris Knox, of Darlington Police, said that although three stabbings in a week is unusual, people should be reassured that in all three incidents the suspect was apprehended quickly and charged.

Anyone with information about the attack on Ms Glen should call police on 101 and ask for incident room at Bishop Auckland.