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Casino boss was killed the day before dinner for children's charity
BY DAVID BRUCE CHIEF CRIME REPORTER CASINO boss Barry DeLacy died just 24 hours before he was due to attend a special dinner for supporters of a major Leeds children's charity.
Magistrates yesterday granted detectives extra time to continue questioning a 27-year-old suspect over the murder of 62-year-old Mr DeLacy.
Mr DeLacy, area director of A&S Leisure, which owns Napoleons casinos, was found stabbed to death at his first-floor flat in York Place, in Leeds city centre, on Friday night.
Today, it was revealed that Mr DeLacy had been due to attend a private dinner function for supporters of Lineham Farm children's centre in Eccup, Leeds, on Saturday.
He had been invited to represent Napoleons at the event by Coun Denise Atkinson, who set up the centre while she was Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Lineham Farm was a derelict 17th-century set of buildings before Coun Atkinson set about converting it into a centre where children could gain an experience of country life.
Saddened
Each week 24 children can take part in animal care, climbing, art and environmental studies, during a week-long holiday.
The farm is a registered charity and depends on donations.
Coun Atkinson said today that she was shocked when she learned of Mr DeLacy's death.
"He should have been at a party on Saturday evening which was for supporters of Lineham Farm," she said.
"Every now and then I invite about 20 people to a dinner to thank them for their support for the charity.
"I have known Mr DeLacy for about 16 months and he was invited to represent Napoleons who support the charity. I am so saddened by his death.
"He was a larger than life character.
"I feel so sorry for his son, Barry, who he idolised. He will be devastated."
david.bruce@ypn.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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