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Funeral held for 'little angels' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of two young children who were killed in their home in Denbighshire has taken place. | The funeral of two young children who were killed in their home in Denbighshire has taken place. |
Five-year-old Caitlin Samuel and her three-year-old brother Aiden died on 5 November at their house in Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl. | Five-year-old Caitlin Samuel and her three-year-old brother Aiden died on 5 November at their house in Bodelwyddan, near Rhyl. |
The children's father Perry Samuel, 35, has been charged with their murder. | The children's father Perry Samuel, 35, has been charged with their murder. |
Family, friends and villagers attended the service at St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, for the children described by their family as "little angels". | Family, friends and villagers attended the service at St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, for the children described by their family as "little angels". |
The pair were discovered in the bath at about 2300 GMT on 5 November by two police officers who had been called to their home. | The pair were discovered in the bath at about 2300 GMT on 5 November by two police officers who had been called to their home. |
They were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital where they were pronounced dead. | They were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital where they were pronounced dead. |
The children's mother Sarah Graham was out at a Bonfire Night concert when the tragedy took place. | The children's mother Sarah Graham was out at a Bonfire Night concert when the tragedy took place. |
The funeral procession arrived shortly after 1300 GMT to be greeted by the Reverend Berw Hughes, the vicar of the church, and the Reverend Peter Rimmer. | The funeral procession arrived shortly after 1300 GMT to be greeted by the Reverend Berw Hughes, the vicar of the church, and the Reverend Peter Rimmer. |
Two tiny coffins, one pink and one blue, were carried into the church, followed by Ms Graham, 23, the children's grandmother Jan Daggert, 44, and other members of the family. | Two tiny coffins, one pink and one blue, were carried into the church, followed by Ms Graham, 23, the children's grandmother Jan Daggert, 44, and other members of the family. |
They've come from God, stayed with us for a brief time, and returned to God The Reverend Berw Hughes | They've come from God, stayed with us for a brief time, and returned to God The Reverend Berw Hughes |
The funeral procession entered the church to Celine Dion's song Fly. | The funeral procession entered the church to Celine Dion's song Fly. |
Leading the service, Mr Hughes said: "No words can really express our sympathies. | Leading the service, Mr Hughes said: "No words can really express our sympathies. |
"We all know these are two little individuals, each with their own special identities. | "We all know these are two little individuals, each with their own special identities. |
"They've come from God, stayed with us for a brief time, and returned to God." | "They've come from God, stayed with us for a brief time, and returned to God." |
He continued: "We feel their loss acutely. We believe that these little ones are still close to us. | He continued: "We feel their loss acutely. We believe that these little ones are still close to us. |
"They will always be part of our lives. As families, and as a community, we are in God's house to commend into his loving arms these two little children." | "They will always be part of our lives. As families, and as a community, we are in God's house to commend into his loving arms these two little children." |
The congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful before Mr Hughes read out some thoughts from Caitlin and Aiden's family. | The congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful before Mr Hughes read out some thoughts from Caitlin and Aiden's family. |
The vicar said Caitlin and Aiden's family did not want to remember the youngsters as "two tragic children snatched away", but for their vibrant personalities. | |
Caitlin was described as Princess Caitlin - a "proper little madam, with the biggest blue eyes in Wales". | |
The children were buried in two coffins, one pink and one blue | |
The congregation heard how she loved dressing up in pink and dancing to her favourite pop songs. | |
The family remembered Aiden as "a proper little man, with a booming deep voice, older than his years and a passion for driving faster than the wind on his bike". | |
He loved his mum's cuddles and wanted to own a fast car like his uncle Mikey, when he grew up, Mr Hughes told the church. | |
He added: "Caitlin and Aiden loved their mum Sarah. | |
"The long hot summer saw days filled with fun, laughter and games. | |
"It was their last, but the best summer ever, filled with priceless memories." | |
The coffins were carried out of the church to the music of the All Angels song Songbird and taken to the cemetery behind for a private burial. | |
Mr Samuel is due to appear at Mold Crown Court on 2 February 2007 charged with their murder. |