The first picture of four-year-old boy stabbed to death at his father's home

His 14-year-old sister Donna was stabbed more than 20 times in the face and body and was last night in a serious but stable condition following a five-hour operation.

Their mother Valerie, whose 17-year marriage with van driver Chris Hawkins recently broke down, was yesterday at Donna's bedside, preparing to break the news to her about the death of Ryan, who suffered ten stab wounds.

Detectives were continuing to question Hawkins, 47, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder shortly after the horrific attack at Sunday lunchtime.

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Little Ryan was stabbed to death on Sunday

Hawkins, a former pub landlord, was said by friends to have been "really down" following the break-up of his marriage two months ago.

Mrs Hawkins, 40, who is thought to have recently started a new relationship, was said by friends to be in a state of shock.

Donna had gone to her father's terraced house in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, to take Ryan back to their mother's house.

The previous day Hawkins was said to have taken Ryan to Slaithwaite Bowling Club for a fourth birthday treat and given him a Spider-Man outfit as a present.

West Yorkshire Police said that

Donna staggered out of her father's house and collapsed in the street with blood pouring from her wounds.

Police and paramedics called to the scene found Ryan in a pool of blood inside Hawkins's house and he was pronounced dead soon after arrival at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Waqar Zaman, a shopkeeper who helped tend Donna's wounds, said: "Val is absolutely devastated and just doesn't know what to do. She has not been allowed to see Ryan's body."

Her other daughter Natalie, 15, was away on a camping trip and was told the news when she returned. Mr Zaman said both girls will be devastated by Ryan's death.

He added: "Val had to work and Chris was always out so the girls looked after him a lot.

"He was their baby brother and they were incredibly fond of him. It's just terrible."

Ursula Riding, whose teenage daughter Lauren is a close friend of Donna, said: "Ryan was such a lovely little boy, so talkative and outgoing. Just your typical little lad."

Friends of Hawkins said he was a doting father who adored Ryan.

Hawkins was a regular at the bowling club where one member said: "He brought him up to the club most weekends and I would see him chasing and playing with the boy. He was the apple of his father's eye."

Asked about Hawkins, he said: "He had two sides to him. Sometimes when things didn't go right he could have a temper on him, usually when he had been drinking."

Police also arrested a 30-year-old man, but after questioning he was released without charge.

Detective Superintendent Tim Forber, who is leading the inquiry, said yesterday: "Ryan had just celebrated his fourth birthday.

"We are building up a picture of what happened to Ryan in the final moments of his life."

Murder scene: The area where the four-year-old was killed is sealed off