British girl shot dead in France ‘by neighbour who complained about noise and cutting trees’
A pensioner arrested after a British schoolgirl was shot dead in France had allegedly been in a dispute with the neighbouring family for years. Details of the build-up to Saturday’s attack emerged following the killing of the 11-year-old - who has been named as Solenne Thornton by French authorities. Her parents were also shot during while enjoying a family barbecue in the French hamlet of Saint-Herbot. The victim’s father Adrien Thornton is in critical condition and her mother Rachel was also wounded. Solenne’s sister Celeste watched in horror as her older sibling was shot while playing on swings, before the eight-year-old ran from the scene screaming: “My sister is dead, my sister is dead.” French police launched an investigation for the murder of a child under 15, and two attempted murders. A 71-year-old Dutchman, who has not been named, is in custody along with his wife after both were arrested by firearms officers. Have you been affected by this story? If so email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk Officers from the GIGN – the Gendarme National Intervention Group – arrived to support local police during the fatal incident. “The shooter locked himself in his home after the shooting so there was a brief siege,” a source said. “After some negotiation, the suspect gave himself up without a struggle, and he was arrested, alongside his wife. He had retired to Saint-Herbot around six years ago.” Marguerite Bleuzen, Mayor of Plonévez-du-Faou, revealed there had been ‘some trouble with a neighbour dispute’ between the two families since at least 2020, while locals claimed the pensioner had previously threatened the family with a .22 rifle the same year. “That’s what the dispute three years ago was all about – police were called because he was threatening the family with his rifle,” one unnamed resident said. “The two families were always arguing, and the rifle escalated matters, but nobody ever believed that he would use it.” The weapon was a licensed hunting rifle, and no effort was made to confiscate it by the police, or council officials. The Dutchman - whose wife was said to be a “pleasant neighbour who said hello to people” - was described as “gruff and withdrawn”, regularly complaining about the family cutting down trees to make way for children’s play equipment, including swings. “He was also regularly upset about the noise the family made, even though it didn’t bother anyone else – it was mainly just kids having a nice time,” a resident said. Following an official intervention three years ago, there had been “no emergency”, but Ms Bleuzen was aware that arguments continued to simmer. “I intervened with my deputies when we were elected,” she said. “There was a problem with the land around their properties, and with noise pollution – it started from there. “I think they all had a little trouble getting on with each other.” Ms Bleuzen added: “The family was well known and liked. There is a village fête every year and they always came. “It’s incomprehensible to have shot a child. No one can understand how that could have happened.” All of the Thorntons were in the garden of their property when shots were fired at around 9pm on Saturday. They had lived in the property – a converted sawmill close to the local Catholic Church – for around five years. Mr Thornton was well known around the hamlet and surrounding countryside for helping out with DIY tasks, while Mrs Thornton was a home help. Solenne was believed to be a pupil at Jean Jaurès College, in the town of Huelgoat. Quimper prosecutor Carine Halley said: “An investigation has been opened into the murder of a minor under 15, and two attempted murders.” She said she believed the Thorntons were originally from the Manchester area. The UK Foreign Office said it aware of the shooting and “offering consulate assistance”. Read More Watchdog: Nuclear states modernize their weapons, Chinese arsenal is growing Paris street submerged by water as heavy rain hits French capital From GPS-guided bombs to electronic warfare, Russia improves its weaponry in Ukraine France shooting – latest: British girl killed during barbecue in Brittany as father fights for life British girl, 11, shot dead as she played on swings in family home in France Man accused of knife attack on four children in Annecy held on attempted murder charges
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Julian Alvarez strike helps Manchester City overcome stubborn RB Leipzig
Manchester City struck twice late on to continue the winning start to their Champions League defence with a hard-fought 3-1 success at RB Leipzig. Julian Alvarez finally settled City’s nerves in Wednesday’s Group G encounter with a fine strike six minutes from at the Red Bull Arena before fellow substitute Jeremy Doku wrapped up the win. Phil Foden had opened the scoring midway through a first half the holders dominated but the hosts responded against the run of play through Lois Openda. Foden hit the woodwork as City pushed for a winner but, with Erling Haaland faltering in front of goal, it looked like being a frustrating night until Alvarez struck. That City would need such late heroics from the bench seemed unlikely as they controlled the first half. The presence of Rodri, who is currently serving a domestic ban, brought a noticeable calm that was missing in his absence in Saturday’s defeat at Wolves. Yet it was Rico Lewis, playing alongside him in midfield, who caught the eye with his determination to win possession and some driving runs. Lewis had City’s first serious opportunity after a nice turn in the area but his shot was blocked. Foden drove the ball back across goal from the rebound but Bernardo Silva, returning to the side after injury, failed to turn it in at the far post. City’s opener came after 25 minutes from another attack instigated by Lewis. The lively youngster pushed forward and played a one-two with Silva before pulling back for Foden in the area. The England international met it with a first-time shot that bounced beyond Janis Blaswich. City pushed for a second before the break, with Haaland twice breaking free on the left but the Norwegian first shot wide and was then denied by Blaswich. It was not until the final minute of the first half that Leipzig had an effort on goal when Openda’s long-range shot was deflected over and City reached the break looking completely untroubled. All their good work was undone within moments of the restart as Jack Grealish misplaced a pass and they were caught by a Leipzig counter-attack. Yussuf Poulsen released Openda with a pass from the centre circle and the Belgium international raced through to beat Ederson with a low shot that went in off the base of the post. Haaland threatened to restore City’s lead when he fired wide and then spurned an even better chance when he missed the target from a Foden cross. Foden went closer when he curled a free-kick against the bar from a wide angle but Haaland’s frustration continued as he shot at Blaswich and skewed another effort over. City were caught on the break again but were reprieved when Emil Forsberg failed to find a colleague in the box and Ederson needed to punch clear after substitute Timo Werner broke free. Pep Guardiola’s changes made the difference as Doku teed up Alvarez to clip a fine shot over Blaswich from the edge of the area. Doku then put the seal on victory when he finished off a quick break in injury time as Leipzig paid the price for pushing players forward. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Bill Sweeney believes English rugby is ‘on cusp of something quite spectacular’ England career igniting convinced me to sign new Saracens deal – Ben Earl Local boys Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff score as Newcastle stun PSG
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