'Sleep tight angel': Friends and neighbours leave poignant messages as police continue to question mother over death of 'lovely' three-year-old daughter at £400,000 home

  • Bethan Colebourn is believed to have lived with mother Claire, 35, in bungalow
  • Her father is Michael Colebourn, chief executive of marine interiors firm Trimline
  • Emergency services rushed to their property on edge of New Forest last night

The little girl was the daughter of Michael Colebourn, chief executive of Southampton-based marine interiors firm Trimline

The little girl was the daughter of Michael Colebourn, chief executive of Southampton-based marine interiors firm Trimline

Tributes have been paid to a three-year-old girl as police continue to question her mother over her death at the family's £400,000 home.

Bethan Colebourn is believed to have lived with her science teacher mother Claire, 35, in a bungalow in the leafy town of Fordingbridge in Hampshire. 

She was also the daughter of Michael Colebourn, 37, who is the chief executive of Trimline, a highly regarded marine interiors firm based in Southampton.

On one bouquet, a handwritten message reads: 'I didn't no(sic) you little one but you are in our thoughts.

'Bless you, rest in peace.'

While another says: 'Sleep tight angel.' 

Four bouquets of flowers including red roses and pink and white lilies today sit outside the red brick home.  

Emergency services rushed to their detached property on the edge of the New Forest following a report of a 'concern for welfare' last night. 

On one bouquet, a handwritten message reads: 'I didn't no(sic) you little one but you are in our thoughts. Bless you, rest in peace'

On one bouquet, a handwritten message reads: 'I didn't no(sic) you little one but you are in our thoughts. Bless you, rest in peace'

While another says: 'Sleep tight angel.' Emergency services rushed to their detached property on the edge of the New Forest following a report of a 'concern for welfare' last night

While another says: 'Sleep tight angel.' Emergency services rushed to their detached property on the edge of the New Forest following a report of a 'concern for welfare' last night

Pictured: A police van and police tape blocks off the entrance to the Colebourn property this morning

Pictured: A police van and police tape blocks off the entrance to the Colebourn property this morning

The young girl was treated at the home and then flown by air ambulance to Salisbury District Hospital in Wiltshire in a life threatening condition

The young girl was treated at the home and then flown by air ambulance to Salisbury District Hospital in Wiltshire in a life threatening condition

Pictured: Forensics officer outside the Colebourn property in Fordingbridge. A police cordon today remains around the £400,000 bungalow where little Bethan Colebourn was allegedly murdered this week

One neighbour said he visited the family's bungalow last Christmas for drinks. He said Mr and Mrs Colebourn were both living there in December, but he has 'not seen much of them since'

One neighbour said he visited the family's bungalow last Christmas for drinks. He said Mr and Mrs Colebourn were both living there in December, but he has 'not seen much of them since'

The young girl was treated at the home and then flown by air ambulance to Salisbury District Hospital in Wiltshire in a life threatening condition.

But she later died at the hospital, and Hampshire Constabulary said they have now arrested a 35-year-old woman from Fordingbridge on suspicion of murder.

Claire Colebourn, who worked at a Roman Catholic school before becoming a private tutor, was led away by officers from her home. 

Bethan's aunt Lindsay Colebourn, 35, who lives in Gillingham, Dorset, said today: 'It is obviously a devastating time for everyone. That's really all I can say. As her father, Michael is devastated and is on his way to the family home. It's such a tragic event.'

Police near the scene in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, after the alleged murder in a house

Police near the scene in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, after the alleged murder in a house

Emergency services rushed to the home in the leafy town of Fordingbridge last night

Emergency services rushed to the home in the leafy town of Fordingbridge last night

Police officers near the scene in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, conduct house to house enquiries

Police officers near the scene in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, conduct house to house enquiries

Police at the scene in Fordingbridge on the edge of Hampshire's New Forest this morning

Police at the scene in Fordingbridge on the edge of Hampshire's New Forest this morning

One neighbour said he visited the family's bungalow last Christmas for drinks.

He said Mr and Mrs Colebourn were both living there in December, but he has 'not seen much of them since'.

He added: 'I cannot believe what has happened. Claire and Michael were nice people, and they had a lovely little girl called Bethan.

'We went there at Christmas for a few drinks, because they know our neighbour - I think they both own horses.

Emergency services rushed to a home in the town after a report of a 'concern for welfare'

Emergency services rushed to a home in the town after a report of a 'concern for welfare'

A 35-year-old woman was today arrested on suspicion of murdering a three-year-old girl

A 35-year-old woman was today arrested on suspicion of murdering a three-year-old girl

Police at the scene in Fordingbridge today after the three-year-old girl died in hospital

Police at the scene in Fordingbridge today after the three-year-old girl died in hospital

'They were very nice to us, but we don't really know them very well. I was shocked when I saw the ambulances and police cars outside the house last night.'

Profile: High-flying CEO Michael Colebourn 

Michael Colebourn graduated from the University of Southampton with an accounting and finance degree in 2003 and joined Trimline in July 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He is a keen sportsman, playing golf, football, tennis and doing triathlons.

The chartered accountant originally joined Trimline as its chief financial officer and has since been appointed chief executive.

Trimline renovates 'world class marine interiors' and its website describes the firm as the 'longest established interior refitter in the industry with over 50 years experience'.

Its website also says: 'At Trimline our purpose is to create world class marine interiors using innovative approaches combined with traditional principles.

'Everything we do we deliver on time and on budget. Whether you are in need of a full turnkey refurbishment or ongoing maintenance of your fleet, Trimline gets it right every time.'

The firm generated revenues of almost £40million in its latest financial year. 

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Meanwhile a mother who had met Mrs Colebourn said today: 'I went to a baby group with Claire, she is a lovely woman.

'I started going just before her little girl left, so I didn't know her that well. But I ride my bike past their house a lot and if I ever see her she always says hello to me.

'There are often two cars there. I don't know her husband but I think they are still together.'

A 2013 VW Seat Ibiza hatchback was today sat on the home's gravel drive. 

A female neighbour said Mrs Colebourn, who has short brown hair, is a former teacher who had previously offered private tutoring.

A dog trainer who two years ago trained a spaniel owned by the girl's mother speculated that she may have split from her husband recently.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: 'She did have a partner when I trained their dog… but I'm not sure whether they are still together.

I trained their dog a couple of years ago. I didn't have many dealings with them but they were a pleasant family.

'Their little girl was just a baby at the time. I saw the mother, Claire, and the little girl out recently and they looked happy and I said hello.'

A dog walker said the red brick, chalet bungalow - which has been cordoned off by police - was shared by a woman and her young daughter.

A 35-year-old woman was today arrested on suspicion of murdering the three-year-old girl

A 35-year-old woman was today arrested on suspicion of murdering the three-year-old girl

The girl is believed to have lived with her mother in a bungalow in the leafy Hampshire town

The girl is believed to have lived with her mother in a bungalow in the leafy Hampshire town

The man, who did not wish to be named, said he would often see the girl playing in in a paddling pool in the front garden when he walked past.

He said: 'The mother would say hello and I would see the little girl out playing in the summer. She used to be out in their garden in a paddling pool.'

He added: 'They have a spaniel and it was vicious - the hardest dog in town.

'The family had to put a mesh sheet on their gate to stop the spaniel getting through and biting or trying to bite people. But they weren't a bad family.

'People in Fordingbridge certainly didn't talk about them as bad people.'

Another neighbour described Bethan's death as 'quite sickening'.

He said: 'It's a complete tragedy – we do not know what happened, there was absolutely no indication that anything was wrong, we didn't know of any issues. It's just thoroughly sad, our sympathies go to the family.'

It is understood that the arrested woman was also treated at the scene in Fordingbridge

It is understood that the arrested woman was also treated at the scene in Fordingbridge

The young girl was treated at the £400,000 bungalow and then flown  to hospital in Wiltshire

The young girl was treated at the £400,000 bungalow and then flown to hospital in Wiltshire

Fordingbridge mayor Malcolm Connolly described Bethan's death as 'truly awful'.

Speaking at his home in the town, he said: 'It is a tragedy of gigantic proportion, my heartfelt condolences are with everyone concernedd.

'I would just like to say on behalf of the residents of Fordingbridge that we offer our sincerest condolences to those effected by this awful event.

'Things like this don't happen here, this is a lovely, friendly small market village where everyone knows each other and we are all feeling the same sadness and loss.

The young girl was treated at the home and then flown by air ambulance to hospital

The young girl was treated at the home and then flown by air ambulance to hospital

Police at the scene outside the property in  Fordingbridge today following the arrest

Police at the scene outside the property in Fordingbridge today following the arrest

'I never would have expected this to have happened here, it's truly awful and my thoughts and prayers are with the little girl and her family' 

A spokesman from South Central Ambulance Service said an adult patient was also treated at the scene but not taken to hospital.

She said: 'I can confirm that South Central Ambulance Service was called to an address in Fordingbridge at 6.46pm last night.

'We had two ambulance crews, ambulance officers and an air ambulance on scene assessing and treating two patients. 

 'One adult patient was assessed and treated at the scene and not taken to hospital and one young child was assessed and treated at the scene and taken to Salisbury District Hospital in a life threatening condition.'

The three-year-old girl was allegedly murdered at the family's £400,000 home in Hampshire

The three-year-old girl was allegedly murdered at the family's £400,000 home in Hampshire

Police officers attended the scene last night along with South Central Ambulance Service

Police officers attended the scene last night along with South Central Ambulance Service

A police spokesman said: 'We were called to an address in Fordingbridge shortly before 7pm yesterday following a report of a concern for welfare.

'Officers attended along with colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service.

'A three-year-old girl was taken to Salisbury District Hospital and was pronounced dead later in the evening.

'Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the girl's death. A 35-year-old woman from Fordingbridge has been arrested as part of our enquiries.'  

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