Two held after girl, 3, is found dead at pub

Police became aware of the death of the young girl, named by neighbours as Tiffany, after being called to the Scarbrough Arms on Addy Street, Upper-thorpe, in the early hours of yesterday.

The circumstances surrounding her death have not yet been revealed, and police say although it is being treated as “suspicious” they are keeping an “open mind”.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the death and were still in police custody this morning, being questioned.

The pub is run by licensee Sabrina Hirst and her husband Robert, who have a one-year-old son and are expecting another child.

A neighbour said the family moved into the pub around a year ago and are well liked by locals.

“They are a nice family, there’s never any trouble there,” she said. “The couple take it in turns working behind the bar while the other is upstairs with the children.

“Because of where the pub is - on the corner of two roads - you didn’t see Tiffany playing out on the street, it’s not that kind of area. I think she used to go to nursery though through the day. Everyone was talking about the death yesterday but nobody knows where she was found or how she died - it’s a complete mystery.

“I spoke to a policeman who said they treat all deaths like this as suspicious until they can prove otherwise.”

A force spokesman said: “Police are treating the death as suspicious but are also keeping an open mind.

“This follows police being called to the public house at 00.22 hours on Sunday.”

Police want to speak to regulars at the pub and local residents.

A special incident room has been set up at West Bar police station on 0114 296 4094.