Melsonby post office latest: Inquiry continues

Magistrates yesterday agreed to extend the time police have to interview Robin Garbutt, who was has been in custody since he was arrested on Wednesday.

His wife, 40-year-old Diana Garbutt, was found dead in the upstairs living quarters of the village post office and shop, in Melsonby, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday, March 23, following a suspected robbery.

It is understood that Mr Garbutt was arrested between 7am and 8am on Wednesday.

Since then, he has been held at an unnamed police station in the county, where he has been interviewed by officers.

A police spokesman said: “The 44-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of Diana Garbutt remains in police custody for questioning.

Magistrates have granted the investigating officers more time to interview the man.”

Detective Superintendent Lewis Raw, the senior investigating officer in the case, has asked villagers not to speculate about the case.

The death of Mrs Garbutt, who is understood to have moved to Melsonby with her husband seven years ago, left residents in shock.

Since the incident, dozens of floral tributes have been left outside the post office.

While some tributes have been left anonymously, many include hand-written messages, highlighting the deep affection in which Mrs Garbutt was held.

Over the weekend following her death, she was remembered at a service in the village’s church, St James’.

During that service, the Reverend Stan Howarth offered words of comfort to residents distressed by events.

He said: “There have been thoughts of anger – we cannot understand why this should come here into this community.

The events that took place, as they unfold, people will continue to talk about for a long time to come.”

The post office has remained closed since Mrs Garbutt’s death.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845-60-60-24-7, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.