A GRANDMOTHER has told how she came home from holiday to find that four members of her family had been killed.

Tunde Sobo's life was torn apart when her son, daughter and two grandchildren were killed inside the home she shared with them.

The alleged murders of Yemi Sobo, 41, his sister Funke, also known as Liz, 36, and her children Steven, five, and Abigail, 12, caused shock in the quiet suburb of Newcastle.

The children's father, Neil Crampton, 34, of Huntley Crescent, Winlaton, Gateshead, has appeared at Newcastle Crown Court charged with four murders and been remanded in custody.

Tunde, 73, said: "People have been really, really supportive and there are no words that can express how thankful I am.

"I would never have thought there would be so many people in the church on the day of their funeral. People travelled from abroad to be there.

"I would say may God give you all joy, happiness, good health and may none of you suffer the same as we have.

"Myself and my son just want to thank everyone for their kindness, affection and heartfelt sympathy during our hours of darkness."

The bodies were discovered in the 1930s semi-detached house in Hawthorn Gardens, in the Kenton area of the city.

Archibald First School pupil Steven and Gosforth Central Middle student Abigail were found dead in their beds. Funke and Yemi were downstairs.

Tunde was returning from a three-week holiday to visit her sister in Nigeria at the time of the killings.

She said: "I came back from holiday and I rang first and got a taxi. I rang home and I didn't get an answer, I rang Funke's mobile and didn't get an answer and I rang Yemi and didn't get an answer.

"When I got home, I couldn't get into the street so I just sat in the car and the police came over, but they didn't tell me anything. They couldn't.

"I can't remember the rest after that, but I remember ringing my son Yinka and I asked about his siblings and he said he hadn't heard from them that day.

"I just missed the whole thing by half an hour. The only thing I'm grateful for is that my cousin was going to come and visit the night before, but changed her plans. If she had, she would be dead, too."

She added: "I have to be strong. I have another granddaughter and I have to be there and strong for Yinka because he has been very strong. He has been through a lot, he really has, because he had to identify them and everything.

"It is not easy but I have got my sisters and my brother-in-law. Each day, if I remember something about them it is hard but I have to remember the good times.

"Yemi was full of life. He used to say 'mum, how you doing, mum?' all the time. He enjoyed his life and would say what is life for if you can't enjoy it?

"Funke was my rock. She would do anything for me. She was like a sister to me. The loss is unbearable."