"Really positive response" to Tommy Ward Crimewatch appeal

CCTV footage of a car seen near the pensioner’s home in Salisbury Road, Maltby, was released by South Yorkshire Police last week on the first anniversary of his death.

Footage of the Saab 93 close to the 80-year-old’s home, turning from Grange Road into Salisbury Road less than two hours before he was found badly injured, was aired to the nation on Monday evening.

It was shown in a bid to identify who was in the vehicle, along with images of Mr Ward’s blood-stained house and his injuries (below).

“We have had a really positive response from the appeal issued on Crimewatch, as well as from the appeal last week,” said Det Chief Insp Victoria Short.

“There are a number of new lines of enquiry we are keen to follow up and my team of detectives are currently reviewing all the information received.

“I want to thank everyone who has come forward, as even the slightest piece of information could prove crucial to the investigation.”

After the screening, Mr Ward’s daughter Jackie Perry appealed again for anyone with information to contact the police, saying: “I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what we have.”

She added: “I really hope we get a result. The photos of the rooms show what we had to walk into nine days later and scrub our dad’s blood up knowing that some scum had done this in his own home, where he should have been safe, just for money.”

Det Chief Insp Short described the CCTV footage as a “significant development”. It shows the car being driven on to Salisbury Road at 5.15am on October 1, 2015.

“It is seen to do a U-turn and is then parked up for approximately 25 minutes in the near vicinity of Tommy’s address,” said Det Chief Insp Short.

“It’s either the offender’s vehicle or that of a significant witness who has not yet come forward.”

Mr Ward, a retired miner and ex-soldier, was left for dead after the attack in which his £30,000 life savings were stolen.

His injuries included a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and a broken jaw, while his left index finger was so badly damaged it had to be amputated.

The war veteran also had a footprint-like mark on his chest and severe bruises across his body.

Mr Ward died in hospital on February 23 last year - almost five months after he was attacked.

Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward in a bid to help catch his killer.

Contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or call police on 101 quoting incident 408 of October 1 2015.