Murder probe police's new appeal — five years after attack on Maltby's Tommy Ward

The 80-year-old was taken to hospital from his home on Salisbury Road, Maltby, on October 1, 2015. He died five months later.

Det Insp Lee Nesbeth said: “This was a vicious attack on a defenceless, elderly man, which ultimately resulted in him losing his life. 

“Tommy’s death sent shockwaves throughout the Maltby community, which is incredibly tight-knit, and we have worked unrelentingly over the last five years to identify those responsible for this crime.

“I want to remind the public of this horrific act of violence on the five-year anniversary of that first phone call to emergency services, and I’m appealing to anyone out there that may still hold information about what happened to come forward.”

A safety deposit box containing about £30,000 was taken from Mr Ward’s property.

The murder investigation has seen numerous arrests on suspicion of offences including murder, robbery and aggravated burglary, but the case has not reached court.

Det Insp Nesbeth said: “There are individuals out there who know what happened to Tommy and there are still people yet to talk to police about what they know.

“I’d ask those people to think about Tommy’s family, his loved ones, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

“They have fought for five years for answers, to find out what happened to him. They are desperate to know why someone would want to harm Tommy.

“This remains an active investigation with specially trained officers in regular contact with Tommy’s family. Those officers and I want to give his family the answers they rightly deserve, to get some justice for their loved one.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact 101, quoting new reference 202 of September 28, 2020.

Info can also be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal or to Crimestoppers anonymously via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111.