Tributes have flooded in after the murder of a retired headteacher and his wife at their home in south Croydon.

Barry Dighton, 61 and his wife Elizabeth, 60, were found stabbed to death in their maisonette in Campden at lunchtime on Wednesday.

The former headteacher and his wife both taught at Elmhurst School for Boys, South Park Hill Road, along with their son, Danny, who was a teaching assistant.

Danny Dighton was arrested at the scene and is in custody at a south London police station.

A former pupil of Barry Dighton, Adam Jeffrey, said: “I used to go to Elmhurst when Mr and Mrs Dighton were there.

“I came to Elmhurst with a lot of academic difficulties and it was Mr Dighton who gave me the chance and allowed me in.

“I am now at De Montfort University studying computer science. If it wasn't for him I would not be here now. My whole family are devastated by the news.

“He was such a lovely man. Me and my dad are keen Crystal Palace supporters and we used to see Danny and Mr Dighton there every Saturday.”

Nick Bush, 37, another former pupil said: “Mr Dighton was my English teacher and he was absolutely fantastic. I also knew his son and all three were heavily involved with the school.

Mr Dighton, who spent a lot of time at his house in Normandy, France, had met up with Mr Bush in the months before his death.

Mr Bush added: “I was at the school in the early 80s and really learnt a lot from Mr Dighton. Mr and Mrs Dighton were lovely and they really cherished their only son, Danny.

“When I last spoke to Barry we spoke about his son who, he joked, didn’t really know what to do with his life.”

Sudhir Niru, the father of two former pupils at the school said: “I was saddened to hear the tragic death of Mr and Mrs Dighton.

“Mr Dighton was a wonderful teacher who was actually a lot of students’ favourite teacher. He had a great ability to connect with students on personal level, which allowed him to help them in school.

“He had a very unique gift that allowed him to engage students in class.

“On a personal level, he always had an infectious smile, a laugh, a joke that lit up the room, no matter who was in it.

“Mr Dighton was a much-loved teacher and was caring, reasonable, and we shall all remember him always.

“Though saddened I must say that I am proud of the achievements my two sons have made from the help and guidance they received earlier in life from Mr Dighton.”

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous said: "The family always had a very professional relationship at work and you would not know, unless you knew their surnames, they were family.

"Mr Dighton was the school. When he left I pulled my son from the school. Mr Dighton made the school.

"I knew Danny as a teaching assistant. He was always smiling and used to greet the children as they came in."

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