Man is arrested for murder after woman in her 40s was found dead in Dorset pub car park
- Officers took them both to hospital as the man had suffered wounds in his arms
- Dorset police closed car park in West Parley, Dorset, as they searched for clues
- Residents said they heard a commotion before calling police on Saturday
A man has been arrested for murder after a woman in her 40s was found lying unconscious in a pub car park.
Officers swooped on the shuttered Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, after an ambulance called for assistance.
The man, also in his 40s and known to the woman, had suffered wounds to his arms. had also suffered wounds to his arm.
The woman was rushed to Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Saturday afternoon, but died in hospital the next morning.
The man was taken to Poole Hospital and arrested for murder following the woman’s death. He had initially been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The man was found at the Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, with wounds to his arm. The pub is pictured above on Google maps in June 2019
Dorset police closed the car park over the weekend as they combed the car park for clues. Neighbours said a white forensic tent was also erected.
Footage from a CCTV camera above the car park has been handed over to police, said Stonegate Pub Company which owns the venue.
Officers are also appealing for motorists who drove along the B3073 that runs past the Horns Inn at the time to come forward with any dashcam footage.
It is not clear how the woman was injured.
Residents said they heard a ‘commotion’ coming from outside the pub at about 3.30pm on Saturday, shortly before the ambulances arrived.
One resident, aged in his 70s, said he heard noise coming from the area but initially thought it was a baby crying.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘My wife and I were sat out in our garden and heard what sounded like a baby crying which we thought was unusual for this area but didn’t really give it much thought.
‘It was only when we heard the sirens and saw what had happened that we put two and two together and realised it could have been some sort of commotion in the pub car park.
‘I’ve never seen police like it around here before. There were sirens coming from every direction and loads of ambulances too.
‘They closed the whole road off and had a car parked in the pub right through until Sunday evening.
‘It’s really sad what’s happened and nothing like this has ever happened here before.’
The woman was found unconscious in the pub’s car park on Saturday afternoon
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Dixey, of Dorset Police, said: ‘I would like to stress that the death is being treated as unexplained at this time and we have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
‘I would urge anyone with information to please contact Dorset Police.
‘I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any activity in the car park of the Horns Inn on the afternoon of May 9 and has not already spoken to police.
‘I would also urge anyone who was driving in the area and has dashcam fitted to their vehicle to check their footage.’
A spokesperson for the Horns Inn said: ‘The pub is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘We have been made aware of an incident that took place in the car park and have handed over CCTV to assist the police with their investigation.’
West Parley is a small village three miles north west of Bournemouth. It is split by the busy B3073 that links Wimborne and Bournemouth Airport.
The Horns is a gastro pub that is popular with families because of its outdoor play area. The pub is close to the £1,295 a year private Dudsbury Golf Club.
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