Advertisement

Man charged with murder of 'amazing' NHS worker and mother-of-three stabbed to death in Barnsley

Victoria Woodhall was stabbed to death in Barnsley on Sunday (Reach)
Victoria Woodhall was stabbed to death in Barnsley on Sunday. (Reach)
Coronavirus
Coronavirus

A 40-year-old man has been charged with murdering an NHS worker who was stabbed to death in Barnsley.

Mother-of-three Victoria Woodhall, 31 – who worked as an operating department practitioner (ODP) at Rotherham General Hospital – died after she was attacked in Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, just before 5pm on Sunday.

On Tuesday, South Yorkshire Police said Craig Woodhall, formerly of Windsor Crescent, Barnsley, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody.

He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Mrs Woodhall's friends, Donna Wetherall and Kelly Sims, to raise money towards funeral costs and to help her three children.

Police and forensics at a house in Barnsley, March 30 2020. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to an address in Barnsley yesterday,.  See SWNS story SWLEmurder. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 30s was found stabbed to death at a house in a quiet village. South Yorkshire Police say officers were called to an address in Middlecliffe at 5pm yesterday (Sun) over "concerns for someone's safety".  When they arrived the victim, aged 31, was found with stab wounds. An air ambulance was spotted landing in a nearby field and paramedics rushed to the property but the injured woman was pronounced dead at the scene.  A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody this morning.  The victim has been named locally as NHS worker and mum-of-three Victoria Charlotte Woodhall.  A friend of her family confirmed Mrs Woodhall was working as an Operating Department Practitioner for the NHS.
Police at a house in Middlecliffe, Barnsley, after mother-of-three Victoria Woodhall was stabbed to death. (SWNS)

The victim was described as someone who was "always helping others" and "lived for her children".

Read more: Bikes stolen from NHS staff caring for coronavirus patients

Her friends said: "Victoria worked really hard at university, qualifying to become an ODP at the Rotherham General Hospital.

"She will be deeply missed by friends, family and her children.

Latest coronavirus news, updates and advice

Live: Follow all the latest updates from the UK and around the world

Fact-checker: The number of COVID-19 cases in your local area

6 charts and maps that explain how COVID-19 is spreading

"She was lovely and caring, always helping others, lived for her children, and sadly she was taken away at a young age of 31."

Wetherall, 29, said: "Vicky was an amazing friend and daughter and you couldn’t wish for a better mum for her children.

Police and forensics at a house in Barnsley, March 30 2020. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to an address in Barnsley yesterday.  See SWNS story SWLEmurder. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 30s was found stabbed to death at a house in a quiet village. South Yorkshire Police say officers were called to an address in Middlecliffe at 5pm yesterday (Sun) over "concerns for someone's safety".  When they arrived the victim, aged 31, was found with stab wounds. An air ambulance was spotted landing in a nearby field and paramedics rushed to the property but the injured woman was pronounced dead at the scene.  A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody this morning.  The victim has been named locally as NHS worker and mum-of-three Victoria Charlotte Woodhall.  A friend of her family confirmed Mrs Woodhall was working as an Operating Department Practitioner for the NHS.
A forensics officer outside a property in Barnsley after the stabbing. (SWNS)

“It’s a tragic loss and it’s been a massive shock for us all. She was absolutely amazing and it’s hurt us to know she is leaving behind her three kids. She will be greatly missed.”

Other friends left tributes on the page, which has already passed its £4,000 goal.

Floral tributes left outside a house. Police and forensics at a house in Barnsley, March 30 2020. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after police were called to an address in Barnsley yesterday.  See SWNS story SWLEmurder. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 30s was found stabbed to death at a house in a quiet village. South Yorkshire Police say officers were called to an address in Middlecliffe at 5pm yesterday (Sun) over "concerns for someone's safety".  When they arrived the victim, aged 31, was found with stab wounds. An air ambulance was spotted landing in a nearby field and paramedics rushed to the property but the injured woman was pronounced dead at the scene.  A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody this morning.  The victim has been named locally as NHS worker and mum-of-three Victoria Charlotte Woodhall.  A friend of her family confirmed Mrs Woodhall was working as an Operating Department Practitioner for the NHS.
Floral tributes were left outside a house in Middlecliffe, Barnsley, after the fatal stabbing. (SWNS)

At the scene of Mrs Woodhall's death, white-suited forensic officers wearing face masks could be seen at a property in the street.

A card on a floral tribute attached to the fence outside read: "Taken from us. Always in our hearts and thoughts. A loving mummy, daughter and sister."

Read more: Nurse calls NHS attackers 'idiots' after staff member punched

South Yorkshire Police said enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and appealed for anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 471 of 29 March.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers via their website – www.crimestoppers-uk.org – or by calling their UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter