Reward offered in Nottinghamshire pensioner murder

Nottinghamshire Police are offering a £10,000 reward for information to help catch the killer of pensioner Hilda Owen.

Mrs Owen, 71, was found dead in her home in West Hill, Skegby, on March 1. She had suffered severe head injuries as a result of a number of blows to the head with a blunt instrument.

No sign of forced entry was found at her home and a murder weapon has not been found.

Her funeral took place today at St Andrews Church in Skegby, where she is being buried in the same plot as her husband, John, who died of cancer in August 2005.

Four men and three youths have been arrested and released on bail in connection with her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Brendan O'Shea, who is leading the investigation into Hilda's murder, said: "We are following a number of lines of enquiry, but still want to trace the two youths, described as white males wearing dark hooded tops, who were reportedly seen near the back of Hilda's house at around 12:50am on Thursday March 1. They may not be connected to Hilda's murder, but we want to speak to them and eliminate them from our enquiries.

"We have also yet to locate the murder weapon, which we know to be a blunt instrument, probably heavily blood-stained, and want anyone who has found or seen anything suspicious to call us."

Superintendent Mark Pollock, of Mansfield and Ashfield Police, said: "This terrible crime has shocked the close-knit community of Skegby. Thankfully, murders like this are an extremely rare occurrence, but you simple don't expect things like this to happen here.

"Local officers will be out in the Skegby area, putting up reward posters, distributing leaflets and speaking to people in the community to see if they remember anything or have any information for the enquiry."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 01623 483020 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA)