Crimewatch appeal over Doncaster woman's murder

Police said they remain determined to find the killer

Detectives are appearing on the BBC's Crimewatch programme to appeal for information about the murder of a woman bludgeoned to death in her home.

Nora Tait, 69, of Stone Close Avenue, Hexthorpe, near Doncaster, was attacked shortly after buying fish and chips from a local shop on 12 October, 2005.

Mrs Tait, a retired seamstress, died in what police described as a "horrific attack" at her house.

Police are hoping the Crimewatch plea will prompt new leads.

Det Supt Neil Jessop, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "We're hopeful that the wider publicity from Crimewatch will lead to key information to help bring the killer to justice."

'No clear motive'

Earlier this year police revealed they had received an anonymous Christmas card referring to the crime, which was sent to the murder inquiry team in 2009.

Senior detectives have made an appeal for the card's author to get in touch.

The force said the card read: "To the Nora Tait murder inquiry team - Keep up the good work x".

The writer adds: "I might know a little something or nothing - I will be back in touch after Christmas."

Speaking in October, Det Supt Jessop said: "There is no clear motive for the attack on Nora, although it is believed that her black purse that may have contained around £100 was missing from the house."

He added: "We, as investigators in this particularly horrific attack, are more than aware of the impact such an incident has on both Nora's family and this tight knit community.

"We remain determined to bring the person who attacked Nora to justice."

South Yorkshire Police said nine people had been arrested since the murder inquiry started, but no charges had been brought.