Father questioned over stabbed baby

Hassan was stabbed in front of his mother

The family of a baby stabbed to death in a high street shop in Carlisle, say they are devastated at the attack.

Ten-month-old Hassan Martin was in Greggs bakery with his mother Lorna Martin, 20, when he was stabbed in the neck on Tuesday.

Police are continuing to question the baby's father over the incident, which has shocked the city.

Shahajan Mondol Kabir, 39, was taken to a police station for questioning on Wednesday, after being treated in hospital following the incident.

He is originally from Bangladesh and detectives are using an interpreter to communicate with him.

The child, who was entered into a baby competition two months ago, was in the bakery in Scotch Street at about 1155 BST on Tuesday.

Shoppers overpowered his attacker and officers from the city's central police station around 100 yards away were quickly on the scene.

The child was taken to Cumberland Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

Ms Martin's cousin Michael Paton said: "You don't expect something like this to happen to someone you know, especially someone you are related to.

"How could anyone do this to a little baby? He had his whole life ahead of him."

People pay their respects at the site of the tragedy

Ms Martin, who lives with her mother Pauline in Caldbeck Road, Carlisle, suffered cuts to her wrist.

A hospital spokeswoman said she was still receiving treatment and her condition was stable.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said a 39-year-old man from the Carlisle area had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Friends also expressed their sorrow at Hassan's death.

Anne Burn, one of the family's best friends, said Ms Martin had battled against epilepsy to take a place at Carlisle College to study child care.

The 68-year-old said she was worried the young mother would not recover from the shock.

Neighbour Reg Peacock, 68, said news of the tragedy had shocked the street.

'Special boy'

He said: "How can anyone do anything like that? Killing a baby is just tragic."

Flowers and teddy bears have continued to arrive at the scene of the stabbing.

One note said: "To Lorna thinking of you, all our love."

Another read: "Hassan, such a very special boy."

Photographer Tony Wiseman recalled taking Hassan's picture for a local competition two months ago.

Mr Wiseman, of Central Studios in Carlisle, said: "Looking back at the picture, he is obviously a very lovely, happy little boy.

"I think it is terribly sad and it is very difficult for anybody to express in words how you feel about that."

Some staff at Greggs, which is due to reopen for business on Thursday, are receiving counselling after Tuesday's events.