Zimbabwean woman arrested over son's death in UK

A Zimbabwean woman, Farai Chirashi, 32, has been arrested in Britain in connection with the death of her son, Scott, 5.

Scott's body was found by police on Friday at his home in Alva, Clackmannanshire, having suffered "a significant injury". His sister was also found in the house in the town's Carnaughton Place.

Farai, originally from Zimbabwe, had lived in Alva for several years. She will appear in court soon. She moved to Carnaughton Place around six months ago with her family, including Scott's father, Tichakunda.

Devastated neighbour Chigozie Ononiwu, a Nigerian IT worker, said Scott was in the same class as his son at Alva Primary School.

He added: "I cried when I heard what had happened to Scott. He was a lovely little boy and was due to come over to our house this weekend. My own son is very upset. This is a very difficult thing to have to explain to him."

One local mother, who asked not to be named, left several lit candles at a makeshift shrine outside the house. She said: "Scott was in my son's class. He was very popular and had a great personality. Everyone liked him. He had such a lovely smile. It's heartbreaking."

Postman David Gibson said Scott used to wave to him when he was delivering the mail. He added: "The family only moved in a few months ago. I didn't really know them but this is shocking nevertheless. Everyone tells me they were such a nice family."

One teddy bear tribute left on Friday held a note with the words: "Dear God, Why?"

Flowers left by Alva Bowling Club had the message: "Sleep well, little one."

The Chirashi family were all members at Alva Baptist Church. Last night a friend of Farai's from university said she was shocked to hear of Scott's death.

She said: "Farai loved her children so much."

"There was a group of four of us from Zimbabwe who became close at Stirling University. We met in 2006 and she was doing a general nursing degree.

"She had to graduate at a different time from the rest of us because she had problems with childcare as her husband was working in Glasgow.

"Her family was from Harare and after her dad died she looked after her mum for a while.

"When her sister died in 2008, she tried to adopt her sister's daughter. She loved her children.

"She'd lived in Botswana for a while with her husband before coming to Scotland. During university she was in my house just about every day because she lived in Alva and I was closer to campus.

"I know she loved that boy so much, I can't believe it."

Yesterday afternoon a team of forensic officers combed the house for clues to Scott's death.

Emergency services had raced to the house at 8.50am on Friday. Scott was declared dead at the scene.