'Disgust' at great grandmother murder

Friends of a great grandmother stabbed to death in her tower block flat have told of their "disgust" at the attack.

Irene Barrett, 88, was a pillar of the community who knitted blankets for local babies and pets, according to residents.

Officers found Mrs Barrett, believed to be a retired secretary, at her flat in Charlton, south-east London, on Saturday morning.

A 34-year-old man, believed to be living in the same block of flats, was arrested hours later on suspicion of murder.

Fighting back tears, neighbour Claire Pickett, 30, said: "I just do not understand how anyone could do this.

"She was such a lovely lady. She used to knit blankets for premature babies and animals at Battersea Dogs Home."

A post-mortem examination is taking place at Greenwich Mortuary.