Man held in UK over murder of father, daughter

British detectives are questioning a man (23) today over the killing of a seven-year-old girl and her father in London.

British detectives are questioning a man (23) today over the killing of a seven-year-old girl and her father in London.

Toni-Ann Byfield was shot in the back after her father, Bertram Byfield (41), was murdered in an apparent gangland slaying.

Toni-Ann Byfield

Police believe the killer decided to shoot Toni-Ann dead rather than risk being identified by her later.

Toni-Ann's visit to her father led to her becoming the youngest victim of gangland violence in London. She had only just arrived in the Britain from Jamaica and was due to start primary school this week.

READ MORE

Despite being a ward of court, Toni-Ann had been allowed to stay the weekend with her father who had known links to Jamaican Yardie gangs in north London. He had served nine years in jail for dealing crack cocaine and was released two years ago.

On January 29th, last year Mr Byfield survived another shooting when he was hit six times. A man was acquitted of attempted murder and possessing a firearm at the Old Bailey on October 4th.

Toni-Ann and her father were found bleeding from gunshot wounds in a one-roomed bedsit in Harrow Road, just west of Kensal Green Station, north-west London at 12.30 a.m. on Sunday. Both were dead by the time they reached hospital.

Toni-Ann's mother, who is believed to be in Jamaica, has still not been traced but other relatives were able to identify the bodies. Interpol has been called in to try to trace her mother.

PA