Tributes to pet shop owner amid murder probe

Tributes have been paid to a pet shop owner who died in a car crash police are investigating as murder.

Barbara Mullaney, who was in her 70s and owned Animal Fayre pet shop in Cricklade, has been named locally as the woman who died in a crash on the B4696, near Royal Wotton Bassett in Wiltshire, on Tuesday.

A 43-year-old man has been held on suspicion of murder. He was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, after the teenage passenger in his car suffered serious injuries in the collision.

St Sampsons Church in Cricklade, Wiltshire, said Mullaney was a "light of kindness and care for owners and their pets".

The church has invited people to light a candle for the town's "much-loved pet shop lady".

"Our thoughts and prayers are for her dear family and friends," it added.

Local dog walking business Purton Pet Pals also posted a tribute to Mullaney on social media.

"I have been visiting Barb in Cricklade for probably about 17 years," it said.

"She was always smiling, always with plenty of time to chat, always with a story to tell, mostly rude! I always left the shop with a huge smile on my face!"

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The crash happened on the B4696 between Brinkworth Road and Lydiard Plain at about 18:05 BST on Tuesday, Wiltshire Police said.

It involved a black Vauxhall Astra travelling north and an orange Peugeot 107 travelling south.

Mullaney, who was driving the Peugeot, died at the scene. The injured teenage girl has since been discharged from hospital.

The Vauxhall driver was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving while unfit through drink or drugs, a police spokesperson said.

Wiltshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to previous involvement with the suspect.

It said it received a number of calls relating to the suspect throughout the day on Tuesday, prior to the collision.

Det Ch Insp Phil Walker, of the major crime investigation team, said: "My thoughts continue to be with the victim's family and all that knew her.

"Her next of kin have been informed of this latest development in the investigation and they continue to be supported by specially-trained officers."

He added: "Please be reassured that there is no risk to the wider public and we are working to piece together the events which led to this tragic incident."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have relevant dashcam footage from the area or from Cricklade High Street, Purton High Street, and the surrounding areas, is asked to contact police.

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