Couple in bloodbath.

A MAN was arrested yesterday after an elderly couple were brutally stabbed to death in their home in an apparently random attack.

Retired paediatrician Derek Robinson and his wife, Jean, a retired music teacher, were found yesterday morning by a decorator who had come to work on their house and discovered a bloodbath.

The wealthy, retired couple were found just after 8 am downstairs in their three-bedroom, semi-detached house on the secluded, private Holly Lodge estate in Highgate Hill, north London.

A close friend of the Robinsons said: ``They were the most generous members of society. If this had to happen to someone they are the least deserving people there are.

``Many people around here have been crying. They were very worthy people who were held in great affection.

``They had no enemies and this simply must have been a random attack. I saw them last night and my wife saw them at 7. 30 am this morning and they were fine. ''

In his retirement, Mr Robinson continued to do charity work with refugees. Detective Superintendent Sue Hill, speaking at the house, said: ``This is a horrific attack -- these people were in their own home and they were slaughtered. ''

Police believe they fought with their killer and he was also badly injured in the struggle. A man was arrested at 12. 30pm in King's Cross.