Nine people have died in a string of killings as Britain entered its second week under the coronavirus quarantine.

The bodies of four people and a dead dog were found at a house in Sussex after a man was charged with killing his wife in South Wales.

An NHS nurse was also stabbed to death in the street in South Yorkshire and three died in an apparent murder-suicide in Hertfordshire.

It comes on the seventh day of Britain's unprecedented lockdown to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Mother-of-three Victoria Woodhall, 31, was stabbed multiple times yesterday evening outside her home in the village of Middlecliffe, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Anthony Williams (left), 69, is accused of killing wife Ruth (right), 67, at their semi-detached home where they had been self isolating

Detectives are investigating the deaths of a father, his wife and their daughter at a house in Hemel Hempstead

Two adults and two children were found dead on Sunday evening at a house in Woodmancote, Sussex (pictured, the scene tonight)

Two adults and two children were found dead on Sunday evening at a house in Woodmancote, Sussex.

Women's aid say more resources are needed amid the coronavirus lockdown as domestic abuse cases surge Northern Ireland's main domestic violence charity has called for more resources as it braces itself for a surge in the number of cases due to coronavirus. Women's Aid urged a 'guaranteed commitment' from Stormont' ministers following restrictions imposed on movement and official encouragement to stay at home. Police are also geared up for more cases of domestic violence as homes are put under strain by extended periods of self-isolation, a senior commander said. A Women's Aid statement said: 'We need resources and a guaranteed commitment across the whole of the UK to support all victims of domestic violence and abuse. 'We are in uncharted territory and all domestic violence charities are bracing themselves for a marked increase in numbers of people coming forward.' Home Secretary Priti Patel has said victims who are isolated with their abusers during the lockdown sparked by Covid-19 will not be forgotten. According to Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statistics, while overall crime has decreased, domestic abuse incidents and crimes with a domestic abuse motivation have increased. In 2019 there were 31,705 incidents, a rise of 399 (1.3%) on the previous year and one of the highest recorded since 2004. The number of crimes reached 18,033, an increase of 2,322 (14.8%). There were 17 domestic abuse incidents and 10 domestic abuse crimes per 1,000 population. Five of the 11 policing districts showed an increase in incidents and all districts had higher levels of crime. Advertisement

Police found the bodies - believed to be from the same family - and the dog after responding to a report of concern for the occupants.

A spokesman confirmed the force has launched a murder inquiry after the grim discovery at around 6.45pm on Sunday.

Today, 69-year-old Anthony Williams from Brynglas, Cwmbran, South Wales, appeared in court accused of murdering his 'lovely' wife during self-isolation.

He was arrested after police found his Ruth, a former school dinner lady, 'unconscious and unresponsive' at their property.

The mother of one, from Cwmbran, South Wales, died later in hospital of suspected head injuries.

The couple had been married for 45 years and neighbours said they appeared to be 'devoted' to each other.

Williams, who denies the charges, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court this morning for a two-minute hearing in which he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He was remanded in custody by District Judge Stephen Harmes and is due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow.

Former ASDA supermarket worker Ruth was found unconscious shortly before 7am on Saturday.

It is understood she received her injures several hours before the 999 call was made from the couple's £160,000 semi on the Brynglas Estate.

The retired couple had a daughter Emma who was said to be 'devastated' by the tragedy.

More than 100 tributes were paid to the Ruth describing her as a 'lovely and kind' mother.

A neighbour said: 'She was a smart and attractive woman with a great sense of humour.

'She always had a smile and a little twinkle in her eye - it's such a shock that she had gone.

'She and her husband seemed to be devoted to each other, there was nothing to say this was going to happen.'

The tragedy happened in one of the UK's worst coronavirus areas outside London with 514 confirmed cases.

Ms Williams (pictured) was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' at the property and died later in hospital of suspected head injuries

The couple had been self isolating at their home in Brynglas, Cwmbran, South Wales

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: 'Gwent Police received a call to an address in Brynglas, Cwmbran at around 6.50am on Saturday 28 March.

'67-year-old Ruth Williams was found unconscious and unresponsive at the premises. She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where she sadly died. A 69-year-old man was arrested, he's since been charged with murder.'

In South Yorkshire, NHS nurse and mother-of-three Woodhall, 31, was stabbed multiple times last night outside her home in the village of Middlecliffe, Barnsley.

Her husband Craig Woodhall, a former soldier, who she had two sons and daughter with, was later arrested by police. The children were unharmed.

The fork lift truck driver, 40, who married Mrs Woodhall seven months ago, is currently in custody to be questioned about the killing.

Due to the coronavirus lockdown the gruesome day-light killing, which took place at around 5pm on Sunday, is thought to have been witnessed by many locals residents.

Shortly after a neighbour appealed for help on social media, claiming Mrs Woodhall had been killed 'in front of people in the street'.

Police, paramedics and Yorkshire Air Ambulance rushed to Windsor Crescent, but Victoria, who was a nurse at Rotherham General Hospital, was pronounced dead.

Woodhall was later arrested.

The NHS nurse Police, who worked at Rotherham General Hospital, was pronounced dead at the scene

Forensic teams arrive to the scene of a murder after mother-of-three Victoria Woodhall, 31, was stabbed multiple times outside her home in the village of Middlecliffe, near Barnsley

The NHS nurse and mother-of-three was stabbed multiple times yesterday evening outside her home

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'A 40-year-old man is currently in custody after a 31-year-old woman was stabbed during an incident in Barnsley yesterday evening.

'Emergency services were called to Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, just before 5pm, following concerns that a woman had been stabbed.

'Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead when officers arrived at the scene. The man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

'There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area today as officers continue to carry out enquiries.'

A forensics tent is now in place on the area of the pavement and road outside the marital semi-detached home where Victoria was killed.

Crime officers have also been paying attention to a white Seat Leon, which is believed to be Victoria's. It has since been towed away.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said: 'I feel so sorry for the children. They have lost a lovely mum.'

The couple only got married in September. Victoria was a nurse at Rotherham General Hospital.

Whilst the reasons for these attacks are unknown, they come as campaigners warned the lockdown would make it 'tougher than normal' for families at risk of domestic violence.

Rachel Williams, of Stand Up to Domestic Abuse, said: 'We know there's a massive influx likely and it will be a pandemic on a pandemic.'

Rachel, who was shot by her late husband Darren after years of domestic abuse, said: 'The perpetrators and the victims would normally spend some parts of the day in work or socialising. That could give the victims breathing space and someone to talk to.

'The children are also not in school which means they don't have a safety net - and in some cases a decent meal. Now they're all sharing their surroundings 24/7 with no breathing space. It will be tougher than normal.'

Detectives are investigating the deaths of Gary Walker, 57, his wife Caroline, 50, and their 24-year-old daughter Katie after the were found at their home by emergency crews on Sunday in Hemel Hempstead.

Detectives are investigating the deaths of a father, his wife and their daughter at a house in Hemel Hempstead. Pictured: Fire fighters at the scene

Gary Walker, 57, his wife Caroline, 50, and their 24-year-old daughter Katie after the were found at their home by emergency crews on Sunday

Officers were called to Stuarts Close shortly after 12.30pm yesterday and the three people were pronounced dead at the scene.

A blue tent has been erected outside the house, which still had its windows open this morning. The house and the neighbouring property were cordoned off.

But investigators now suspect that the tragic incident was the result of a murder-suicide involving the family members.

Major Crime Unit Detective Inspector Iain MacPherson said: 'We are dealing with three suspicious deaths and are not looking for anyone else in connection to this incident at this time.'

Britain remains on lockdown in a bid to stem the deadly coronavirus which has swept across the world and is now ripping through the country.

But in a good news today the outbreak in the UK may finally be starting to slow after the daily death toll dropped for the second day in a row, with 180 new fatalities recorded overnight.

A total of 1,408 people in Britain have now died from the killer infection, while more than 22,000 cases have been officially diagnosed - but the true size of the outbreak remains a mystery because of the UK's controversial policy to only test patients in hospital.

England recorded 159 new deaths in the last 24 hours, while Wales reported 14, Northern Ireland six and Scotland one.

It marks the first time the daily increase in deaths has fallen for two days straight, dropping from 209 on Sunday and 260 on Saturday - in what was Britain's darkest day in the crisis yet.

The UK's spiralling coronavirus death toll has jumped to 1,408 after 180 more fatalities were recorded in a single day

Despite the growing number of cases and deaths recorded overnight, Britain's coronavirus outbreak looks to be slowing down, leading experts said today. Pictured: Paramedics in hazmat suits take away a man that collapsed in a Lidl in south east London

Medical staff wearing protective masks and clothing in a Ambulance outside St Thomas' hospital in London on Sunday

But there are fears of a fresh spike in fatalities tomorrow because officials will count deaths outside of hospitals for the first time. Until now, the figures have not included people who succumbed to the virus before being admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile the number of confirmed cases in Britain appears to also be flattening, with just 2,619 new positive tests in the last 24 hours - an 8 per cent rise from yesterday's daily increase of 2,433.

But experts predict the true number to be more than two million because of the Government's decision to only test patients so ill they are admitted to hospital.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today stood in for the PM at Downing Street's daily coronavirus conference tonight while Boris Johnson self-isolates after contracting the virus.

Mr Raab revealed 'tens of thousands' of stranded British travellers would be flown home under a £75million new partnership between the Government and airlines.

At the briefing, the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance also said the number of people being admitted to hospital with coronavirus is going up 'in a constant amount'.

But he assured the public the fact the NHS was seeing an additional 1,000 patients a day with coronavirus-related admissions was 'not an acceleration' and that the health service was coping.

On another rollercoaster day in the coronavirus crisis:

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab unveils £75m repatriation plan to fly home 'tens of thousands' of Britons stranded abroad due to coronavirus crisis;

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the number of people being admitted to hospital with coronavirus is going up 'in a constant amount';

Public Health England figures revealed the number of coronavirus tests carried out in the last 24 hours actually fell - despite Government promises to ramp up testing capacity;

The UK's outbreak might actually be 'starting to slow' but deaths will keep rising, says government expert Neil Ferguson as he suggests up to 2million people might already have been infected;

EasyJet grounded its entire fleet of 330-plus planes as coronavirus continued to wound Britain's airlines - just ten days after the airline paid a £174million dividend to shareholders including to its founder Stelios;

Prince Charles was today allowed out of self-isolation one week after being diagnosed with coronavirus and is in 'good health', royal aides have said;

Many supermarket deliveries are not reaching over 70s and key workers including bus drivers and food delivery drivers are being turned away from stores;

Police armed with new powers to enforce the lockdown are continuing to shame suspected wrongdoers – including the MP son of former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock;

F1 teams produced a breathing device that could stop coronavirus patients having to go into intensive care, and should be in hospitals within days;

Health minister Helen Whately sparked confusion when she admitted that while the government now has the 'capacity' to carry out 10,000 coronavirus tests a day it might not have done so yet;

Ministers have finally ordered 17.5 million antibody testing kits so they can check a quarter of the population in bid to get key staff back to work;

Economists have warned the crisis could cause UK GDP to plunge by 15 per cent and unemployment to double as the FTSE 100 fell more than 2 per cent.

The number of hospital admissions for patients with coronavirus is broken down by areas in England - with London suffering the most

The UK's coronavirus deaths are compared to Spain, France, Italy, China, South Korea, Germany and the US in this Public Health England chart

Daily increases in cases appear to be slowing for the first time in the outbreak - but scientists maintain the worst is still to come and say the apparent slowdown should be taken with a pinch of salt