Police investigating the murders of two social workers

A man has been charged and two men arrested following the murders of two social workers, killed in separate incidents on Christmas Eve.

Lesley Caile, 48, a registered social worker who worked for Durham council, was found dead at her home in Hunwick, County Durham, on the morning of 24 December.

A 46-year-old man, Peter Edward Yorke, who lived at the property with Caile, appeared in court last month charged with her murder.

Caile, who had two children and three grandchildren, was “held in the highest regard” by her managers and colleagues, according to a tribute issued by her employer.

‘Held in the highest regard’

In a statement released to the media, the authority’s corporate director of children and adults, Rachael Shimmin, said: “I can confirm that Lesley was an employee of the council. She worked as a team manager in children’s and adults services.

“Lesley was held in the highest regard by her managers, staff and colleagues both in the council and also in its partner agencies. Our thoughts at this time are with her family and friends, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.”

In a separate incident on Christmas Eve, retired social worker and church organist Alan Greaves was attacked on his way to midnight mass in High Green, Sheffield. He was found by a member of the public and taken to hospital, but died from his head injuries.

Detectives have arrested two men from Sheffield, one in his 20s and one in his 40s, as part of their investigation. Both men are currently being held in police custody.

The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Steven Croft, paid his respects to Alan Greaves, saying the grandfather and father-of-four had been, “widely involved in serving [his] local community for many years”.

Picture credits: Durham police (left); Rex Features (right)