Tommy Ward murder: Crimewatch appeal over pensioner's violent death

Eighty-year-old ex-miner Tommy Ward was attacked by robbers at his home in Maltby

Detectives investigating the murder of a 80-year-old man who died following a violent robbery at his Rotherham home have appealed for witnesses on the BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow programme.

Tommy Ward was attacked during a break-in at the property on Salisbury Road, Maltby, on 1 October, and died in February as a result of his injuries.

The robbers stole a safety deposit box containing about £30,000 in the raid.

Five people arrested in connection with the incident have been released

Mr Ward was last seen alive at about 18.20 BST on 30 September by his carer, Angie Cook, when she left his home and locked the front door.

When she returned the following day at about 06:45 she found the front door unlocked and discovered Mr Ward lying on the floor of his kitchen.

She said: "Twenty-six years in care and I've never seen anything like that before and I hope I never see anything like that again."

Mr Ward died in hospital five months after he was attacked

Det Ch Insp Vicky Short, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "I want the reconstruction on Crimewatch today to drive home the stark reality to those who know who committed this vicious attack on a defenceless old man.

"I want them to visualise what actually happened and for them to understand the grief and pain that has been caused."

Mr Ward's son, Sean, told Crimewatch: "They stole what he worked for and what was rightfully his.

"They have stolen his life and they have stolen my kid's grandfather and they have stolen my dad.

"We're just in a long dark tunnel and there just doesn't seem to be any light at the end of it at the moment."

Last month, Crimestoppers said it was offering a £10,000 reward offering for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.