Woman ‘murdered’ with mother had recently won award at work

An officer worker who was stabbed to death along with her elderly mother had recently won an award for her hard work, heartbroken colleagues have revealed.

Sharon Harris, 55, died with her mother Margaret, 78, when their family was attacked at their home in the village of Hadlow, near Tonbridge, Kent this weekend.

Ms Harris’s father David, 76, remains in a stable condition in hospital after he too was stabbed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Ms Harris had worked at the nearby Salter Housewears office for nearly 30 years and was recently praised for having never missed a day.

Pictures show the murder scene in Hadlow, Kent after Sharon Harris and her mother Margaret were killed and Sharon's husband David severely injured 

Pictures show the murder scene in Hadlow, Kent after Sharon Harris and her mother Margaret were killed and Sharon’s husband David severely injured 

A colleague told MailOnline: ‘It’s absolutely awful. I was so upset when I heard the news. Sharon was such a lovely lady. Nothing was too much for her.

‘She was so reliable. She had worked for the company for over 30 years and knew so many things at the firm she was a ‘go to’ person for anything.

‘She would always be glad to help – she was a truly wonderful person – a company person.

‘She even won an award and vouchers as she never had a day off. That’s the sort of person she was.

‘She worked in customer services for a while and also in the post room and dealt with complaints. She even showed people around the building. She did a bit of everything.’

Police forensic officers have been carrying out investigations in Hadlow, Kent this weekend. A cordon was in place for much of the day yesterday and today 

Police forensic officers have been carrying out investigations in Hadlow, Kent this weekend. A cordon was in place for much of the day yesterday and today 

Ms Harris’ mother Margaret is understood to suffer from agoraphobia and spent nearly all of her time at the family’s semi-detached home.

The colleague added: ‘They were a very close family.’

Pictured: Jack Ralph, 28, has been charged with the double murder of Sharon Harris and her mother Margaret and attempted murder of her husband David 

Pictured: Jack Ralph, 28, has been charged with the double murder of Sharon Harris and her mother Margaret and attempted murder of her husband David 

Neighbour Jack Ralph, 28, appeared in court today accused of attacking the family at their home following a late-night row. 

He appeared via videolink at Medway Magistrates’ Court in Chatham charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. 

Paramedics rushed to the family’s aid on Saturday morning but Sharon and Margaret were pronounced dead at the scene. Retired mechanic Mr Harris last night was in hospital in a stable condition.  

Neighbours said they heard ‘a terrific amount of screaming’ on the night of the alleged murders. 

Michael Maile, who has lived in the street for 32 years, said: ‘Usually nothing happens here, now we are scared. It’s a scary thing to live near. We knew the Harris family, me and my wife would say ‘hello’ when we saw them.

‘They were quiet, reserved people, and Margaret never left the house. She was frail, no one has seen her for a year.’ 

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Margaret was a quiet woman – she was never offensive to anyone.

‘We came out and saw a helicopter above. It must have been her husband – It is sickening what went on. There were a dozen police here until 10pm on Saturday night – it’s unheard of.

‘I can’t see how this could have happened. You hear about this going on in London, but not here.’

Flowers and cards were left outside the Harris family home yesterday in tribute to the mother and daughter who died.

Sharon’s colleagues left a card saying: ‘Dearest Sharon and Margaret, rest in peace. Taken too soon.

‘Sharon, we wished each other a good weekend at 4:30 on Friday.

‘I can’t believe I am writing these words, there will be a big gap at work without you. All our love Clare and Danni xxxx’

A Kent Police spokesman said yesterday: ‘Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have charged a man with murder following the death of two women in Hadlow, near Tonbridge.

‘Kent Police was called to a property in Carpenters Lane at 7.41am on Saturday 29 September where three people had suffered serious injuries, consistent with a stabbing.

Officers and forensic investigators scour the crime scene for evidence in Hadlow today 

Officers and forensic investigators scour the crime scene for evidence in Hadlow today 

‘Two women, aged in their 50s and 70s, died at the scene. A man in his 70s was taken to a London hospital for treatment. His condition is described as stable.

‘It is believed the victims and the suspect were known to each other.

‘Jack Ralph, 28, of Carpenters Lane in Hadlow was arrested and an investigation was launched.’ 

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