A man rang police to say he had killed "his entire family".

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The call came before police found four bodies during a search of a house in Hawthorn Gardens, Newcastle. Police said Olufunke Sobo, 36, her brother Yemi, and her children, Abigail, 12, and Steven Crampton, five, had been the victims of a "sustained, violent attack." A 33-year-old male relative has been arrested in connection with the deaths, but is too unwell to be questioned. Det Supt Steve Wade of Northumbria Police told a press conference: "We received a call from a male caller who said he was responsible for killing his entire family." Police have been unable to establish the cause of death because the bodies are still at the scene. The two adults were found lying downstairs and the children were in separate rooms upstairs. Loving mother Mr Wade said the house is owned by Ms Sobo's mother Tunde Sobo, who was born in Nigeria but is a British citizen who has lived in the country for 50 years. He said: "Very sadly Tunde had just arrived back from a family holiday in Nigeria and the first she knew of the attack was when she turned up at the scene and the police cordons were in place." Family tributes were paid to Yemi Sobo, who was well known in Newcastle as a freelance photographer working in city nightclubs. His family said he enjoyed life and had many friends. Ms Sobo was described as a "loving mother" to her children. Mr Wade added: "We are told that Abigail was lively with lots of friends, who liked music and computers, while Steven was a bit of a rascal, very loving and helpful, and mad on Thomas The Tank Engine. "Their family are distraught, their friends, colleagues, and fellow pupils are devastated by this tragedy." Parents and pupils at the children's' schools are being offered counselling and specialist help. 'Absolutely shocked' Hawthorn Gardens is in a quiet residential area and is made up of semi-detached homes with enclosed gardens. Neighbours spoke of their shock when the area was cordoned off. Elizabeth Cessford, whose garden backs on to the house, said: "I'm absolutely devastated. "I would see the children playing on the trampoline jumping up and down and having a really good time. I would think they were really happy children. "I didn't really know the family, but I'm absolutely shocked by what has happened." Mr Wade added: "I can confirm that the arrested man is related to the victims but at this stage I am not going to name him or give more details about his relationship to the victims. "We've been unable to question him owing to the fact that he is receiving medical treatment."