Son held over killing of his ex-headmaster father and mother

The son of a retired headmaster was being questioned by police today after his parents were found stabbed to death in their south London home.

Barry Dighton, 61, former head of private Elmhurst School for Boys in Croydon, was killed with his wife Elizabeth, 60, in their maisonette.

Their teacher son Daniel, 34, who lived with them and had worked at the school, was found at the address hiding in the attic. Detectives were today examining his medical history amid concerns about his mental health.

Neighbours described how a man, reportedly with blood on him, was led in handcuffs from the home in Campden Road, South Croydon, after police were called to reports of a "disturbance" yesterday lunchtime.

They later said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. Mr Dighton was headmaster of Elmhurst — ranked by the Sunday Times as one of the best prep schools in Britain — from 1985 to 2006. Since his retirement he had been working as a private tutor. He and his wife divided their time between Croydon and a second home in Normandy.

Forensic science officers were collecting evidence at the address this morning. The killings shocked neighbours in the quiet street. Cyril Robinson, 78, a retired double glazing fitter, said: "I knew him to say hello to and I know he recently retired as a schoolmaster.

"He was doing private tuition and there were always children being dropped off at the house."

A resident who witnessed the suspect's arrest, but who did not want to be named, said: "At first, we could just see two police cars but shortly after they were everywhere, with cars, vans and three ambulances and an air ambulance. I saw a man with dark hair, aged in his thirties, being led out in handcuffs. I wasn't close enough to see but another neighbour said he had blood on his hands and feet and he was trembling."

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Post mortem examinations were taking place today at Croydon mortuary.

Daniel Dighton had been working as a teacher in Thailand and moved back to Britain three weeks ago.

He went to Thailand in early July after spending 10 years working as a teaching assistant at Elmhurst School. His mother was head of the reception department.

Known to his friends as Duckfish, Mr Dighton had taught year one pupils and recently signed up with an employment agency in Purley. Julie Lowe, landlady at The Folly, where he was a regular, said he was drinking in the pub on Tuesday, the day before his parents died, and seemed in good spirits.

The 44-year-old said: "He was fine when he came in on Tuesday. Just looked like his normal cheery self."

Edward Handley, 74, a retired businessman and close friend of Mr Dighton senior, said: "I am deeply saddened by the news. He was a very nice man and his wife was a lovely lady."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said a 34-year-old man was in custody at a south London police station.