Dad found murdered alongside wife leaving son orphaned as man, 52, charged over double killing

A DADwas found murdered next to his wife in a horrific double slaying that left his young toddler orphaned as a man, 52, has been charged with the double murder.

Geoffrey Hibbert and his wife Michelle were killed in the brutal attack at their semi-detached bungalow in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Mr Hibbert, 61, and Michelle, 29, were found brutally murdered at their home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The couple had a young son aged around two living with them, according to locals.

Police were called to the scene just after 2am on Sunday morning following reports an altercation had gotten out of hand.

Officers cordoned off the streets around the property on Buckland Avenue as forensic teams searched a nearby flat.

52-year-old Stanley Eliot who was arrested on suspicion of murder has now been charged, police said.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said :"Officers investigating the death of a man and a woman in Basingstoke have today charged a man with their murder.

"The bodies of Geoffrey Hibbert, aged 61 years, and Michelle Caroline Hibbert, aged 29 years, of Buckland Avenue in Basingstoke were found by officers in their home just before 2am on Sunday.

"Stanley Elliot, aged 52 years, of Kiln Road in Sherborne St John, near Basingstoke, has been charged with their murder. He is due to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates' Court today(Wed).

In 2008, Mr Hibbert, a Fathers 4 Justice protester, scaled a gantry on the M25 while dressed as Batman and unfurled a banner with pictures of his eight-year-old daughter, bringing thousands of cars to a halt.

He was eventually arrested on suspicion of causing danger to road users.

Speaking at the time he said: "I cannot describe how not being able to see her makes me feel.

“If I had taken her away I would be in prison for kidnap but my ex-partner can do it and it's fine. Where is the justice?"

Today Mr Hibbert's devastated brother turned up at his house, where a white police tent still stands on the front lawn.

Frank Hibbert said: "I was going to come down to visit him yesterday, and when I saw a lot of police and blue lights and the road all cordoned off I knew it was my brother's house straight away.

"The police won't tell me anything, even though I've said he's my brother.

"We saw they have arrested a 52 year old man but that's about all we know.

"I want to find out what will happen to his son – he's only two or three years old and he's my main concern.

"Me and Geoffrey didn't see eye to eye all the time but as brothers and family we have helped each other out in the past. I know that if I asked him to do me a favour he would have done it.

"Geoffrey repairs bikes and has a small holding of sheep somewhere nearby, though I've never been there.

"Now I have to go and tell all of this to my dad who lives in London, but I still don't know anything about what happened.

"I just want to know what's going on with the little boy and I want to see justice for whatever has happened."

A young woman living above a shop around 60 metres away from the scene said she heard what she initially thought were "fireworks" when she woke during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Caz Marshall, 21, said: "I heard it was Geoffrey and Michelle Hibbert, from a neighbour who is in touch with an elderly woman who lives on the road.

"I thought I heard some fireworks when I woke up at around 3am on Sunday morning to go to the toilet.

"We had the windows shut so it was a bit muffled, but it sounded like fireworks.

"There were people saying it could have been a door being broken down, but there were four or five in quick succession.

"It's normally really quiet down there."

Neighbours of a flat in the nearby village of Sherborne St John spoke about police activity there.

A woman living in the same block of flats said: "Lots of police descended at around 4am on Sunday morning, but we didn't see anyone getting arrested.

"All today and yesterday they have been searching the flat. I think it's linked to the double murder – that's the rumour that's going around."

Chief Inspector Matthew Reeves said: “This is a shocking incident, and I understand that members of the local community will be concerned.

“We have a number of officers working hard at the scene, and there will be an increased police presence in the area.

“I want to reiterate that we believe all parties involved are known to each other and that there is no known threat to the wider community.

“If you have any concerns, or information, please feel confident to approach one of our Neighbourhood Policing officers as they are on patrol in the area.

"Alternatively, if you have information please give us a call on 101 quoting Operation Carnation.”

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