Card clue to murder revealed in police appeal

The card was sent to South Yorkshire Police at Christmas last year, more than four years after Nora Tait, 69, was bludgeoned to death in her home at Hexthorpe, Doncaster.

It contained the message "To the Nora Tait Murder inquiry team – Keep up the good work x – I might know a little something or nothing – I will be back in touch after Christmas."

Whoever wrote and sent the card never re-established contact with investigators but officers still believe they may hold information which could help bring the offender to justice.

A reward of 20,000 also remains in place for information leading to the conviction of Mrs Tait's killer.

The investigation is now being headed by Det Supt Neil Jessop and he said: "I am appealing to the author of this card and anyone else out there who has any information that may assist in our ongoing enquiries to come forward and contact the investigation team. I can assure you that the information you give will be treated with the strictest confidence."

The motive for the murder has remained uncertain ever since Mrs Tait's body was found in her home at Stone Close Avenue, Hexthorpe on Thursday October 13, 2005.

The former seamstress had been assaulted with such ferocity that she had severe fractures to her skull, caused by a number of blows to the back of her head.

Investigators were able to piece together Mrs Tait's movements on the day before her death.

In the morning of October 12 she had attended Doncaster Royal Infirmary and had then gone on a shopping trip into Doncaster town centre.

It is known she returned to Hexthorpe by bus and got back at around 1pm, when it is believed she visited the Lucky Mei takeaway to buy fish and chips.

"Nora never got chance to eat her lunch," said Det Supt Jessop.

"There is no clear motive for the attack on Nora, although it is believed that Nora's black purse that may have contained around 100 was missing from the house.

"It is possible that Nora knew her attacker.

"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. Detectives remain dedicated to the investigation and it is quite clear to the investigation team that the incident is still firmly fixed in the memories of the people who were and continue to live in the area," he said.

It is now hoped a 20,000 reward will act as an encouragement for anyone with information. The Crimestoppers charity, has put up half the money and police are offering the rest.

In 2008 police arrested a 24-year-old man, but he was not charged with the death.

So far police have not recovered the weapon used to attack the pensioner and there were no signs of a break in at the house.

One line of inquiry was to try to trace a man known to sell groceries door-to-door in the area, but that failed to bring the investigation to a conclusion.

Anyone with information can contact police on 01709 443465 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Daughter tells of family's anguish

Nora Tait's daughter Jayne Watson told reporters:

"Five years on and our family are still living this horrific loss. It feels like such a short while since we were told that our mother had been murdered. This in itself was shocking and extremely hard to comprehend.

"We were a normal family, leading normal lives where things like this just don't happen to you. To be told how this had happened, in the middle of the day; in her own home was totally incomprehensible.

"My mum led a simple but active life around family and friends and obviously thought she was safe in her own home. To think that the person or persons who did this are still left unaccountable for this is frightening.

She added: "Our mum deserves more than this and we as a family owe it to her to do all that we can to get the justice which she deserves.

"We are pleading for anyone with any information to please contact the police; we want to put this to rest, finally."