Headteacher pays tribute to eight-year-old stabbed to death

The headteacher of Mylee Billingham has spoken of his school's shock at the death of the "fun-loving" eight-year-old pupil.

Andy Nicholls, headmaster of St James Primary School in Brownhills, WestMidlands, said the "lovely" girl, who enjoyed singing and performing, was anactive member of her school.

The schoolgirl died in hospital on Saturday after she was found with stabwounds at a bungalow in Valley View.

Father Bill Billingham, 54, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Saturday, shortly after posting a picture of the schoolgirl on his Facebook page on Saturday night.

Billingham, who was found at the property with a stab wound to his stomach, is in critical condition in hospital and is due to be questioned by police.

The stabbing is being treated as a "domestic incident".