Family of Solaine Thornton were due to return to UK to see relatives for first time since Covid

The family of tragic Solaine Thornton were just two weeks from returning to the UK to visit family for the first time since Covid struck.

Solaine, 11, was allegedly gunned down by neighbour Dirk Raats, 71, while her family enjoyed a barbecue at their home last Saturday. Her parents Adrian and Rachael, who are from Oldham, were also shot in the attack in the sleepy French hamlet of Saint-Herbot, Brittany.

The pair remain in hospital in nearby Brest with Adrian, 52, in a critical condition while Rachael, 49, is described as being stable. Their youngest daughter Celeste, eight, who bravely raised the alarm, was also being kept in hospital with them, but is uninjured.

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Her grandad Irvin Thornton has flown in from Britain to offer the family some support, the Mirror reports.

But a family friend from the village said the Thorntons were eagerly anticipating their trip back to the UK and had just received their passports. She added: “They were so excited.

“They seem like such a close family and Covid parted them for so long. I think they were going to Manchester to see Adrian’s relatives.

"They are such a beautiful and innocent family. It was only a couple of weeks away and now this, their whole lives touched by evil.”

Meanwhile residents in Saint-Herbot have set up an online fund to help the family with expenses.

The tribute on the site said: “Whether it be for immediate accommodation, support, care, physical/emotional assistance or simply trying to start to find a little clarity in the darkness, one way in which we can all help is to donate to their fund.

Dutchman Raats has been charged with Solaine’s murder and the attempted murder of her parents