A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a mother and son were found dead following an axe attack in their Banbury home.

The bodies of Sally Cox, 43, and her 21-year-old son Martin Faulkner were discovered by police at about 6.45am yesterday, in Mold Crescent, Bretch Hill.

It is the second horrific incident in the road in recent years. Just over two years ago, Mohammed Rashid, 35, admitted killing his wife Sughra Rani, 30, in a house just a few doors away.

Mrs Cox’s 19-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries in the incident and is being treated in hospital after she managed to escape with Mrs Cox’s other daughter, 13, who was unhurt.

A 43-year-old man, believed to be the woman’s former partner, was arrested on suspicion of murder at a house in Swindon about four hours later. Last night he was being questioned by detectives.

Det Insp Steve Duffy, of Banbury police, said: “It was a horrific scene. The officers found two people who were dead or very close to death at the scene.

“There was evidence a weapon had been used. It would appear that both bodies had injuries consistent with blunt trauma.

“I cannot confirm if it was an axe. I can confirm no firearms were used in this incident.”

He added: “I believe the police were called very quickly and officers arrived within minutes.

“We believe that the suspect made off minutes before the officers arrived.”

Mr Duffy would not confirm where in the house the bodies were found, although an upstairs bedroom appeared to be the focus of police activity yesterday.

Officers were on guard in the street outside while forensic teams combed the red brick end-terrace house to look for clues and a weapon, believed to be an axe.

Police were also present at a second house in the road, opposite the scene of the attack, which officers believe the suspect may have visited during the course of the incident.

A women, who asked not to be named, said she had known the family for several months. She said Mrs Cox had recently got divorced and worked for delivery firm DHL.

Her son was believed to be between jobs and spent time between his mother’s Banbury home and his father’s address in Milton Keynes.

Father-of-five Mark Preedy, 32, who lives in the house opposite the crime scene, said: “I saw the police outside. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet what’s happened. I can’t believe it. I didn’t know them, I only saw them a few times.”

Another neighbour, Sylvia Heritage, 49, who has lived in the road for five years, used to be a carer for a man who was stabbed to death in the road a couple of years ago.

She said: “I didn’t expect there to be another suspected murder. It makes me feel a bit edgy.”

Mother-of-two Stephanie Tucker, 29, who also lives in the road, said: “I came out about 8.40am and it was swarming with police.

“There was a girl I saw try to drive up the road but the police stopped her and searched the boot of her car. They were searching everyone’s cars.”

Another 44-year-old women, who asked not to be named, said: “I have lived here for 20 years and I never thought about leaving until now.

“I feel physically sick with all these deaths.”

  • Anyone with information about the deaths should call Banbury police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.