New Lead In Pensioner Murder Inquiry

Detectives investigating the murder of Coleraine pensioner Bertie Acheson are following up a new lead.

The focus of the investigation into the murder of the 72-year-old man has now shifted to Antrim.

Checkpoints have been operating in the Antrim area as police begin talking to motorists and distributing leaflets to acquire more information.

Mr Acheson had been asleep with his wife Sheila on 30 April this year, when they were awoken by the sound of breaking glass.

When Mr Acheson got up to investigate, he went into the kitchen and was confronted by a male intruder, who demanded money. An altercation and struggle resulted in Mr Acheson falling to the floor.

He suffered a heart attack, which detectives say was brought about by stress.

The intruder went into the couple’s bedroom and threatened Mrs Acheson, who is 70 years of age and suffers from arthritis.

The man stole her purse and escaped with £375.

DCI Ian Harrison said: "I would remind people, and I believe there are individuals in the Antrim area who know who was involved in Bertie Acheson’s murder, that there is a £10,000 reward available from the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man responsible for Bertie’s murder.

"We are asking people to think back to Monday 30 April and the days immediately after that. Do you know anyone who travelled from their home in the Antrim area to Coleraine in the early hours of 30 April? Was there a man you know who was acting in an unusual manner or whose behaviour seemed suspicious? We will treat any information in the strictest confidence but we need the information."

Police can be contacted in Coleraine on 028 7028 0987 or through the Crimestoppers charity, on 0800 555 111.

(IT/CD)