Police make TV appeal five years after pensioner killed

Nora Tait was found dead in her home on Stone Close Avenue, in Hexthorpe, Doncaster, on Thursday, October 13, 2005. She had suffered several blows to back of her head, which had fractured her skull.

A reconstruction of the 69-year-old's last movements will be shown on the BBC1 programme Crimewatch next Tuesday at 9pm along with interviews with her family and investigating officers.

The idea for the programme stemmed from an event which was staged by police in Doncaster in October to mark the fifth anniversary of the murder of the retired seamstress and appeal for information.

Det Supt Neil Jessop, who is leading the investigation, said: "The appeal in Hexthorpe on the fifth anniversary of Nora's murder led to us working with Crimewatch to film a reconstruction.

"We are hopeful that the wider publicity from Crimewatch will lead to key information to help bring the killer to justice."

Mr Jessop said that before Mrs Tait was found, she had attended Doncaster Royal Infirmary, and then went shopping in Doncaster town centre.

She then caught a bus from town to Hexthorpe, arriving there at around 1pm that afternoon. Before returning to her home, she is believed to have bought fish and chips from the nearby Lucky Mei takeaway.

When police found her the fish and chips were untouched and there was no clear motive for the attack, although it is believed that Mrs Tait's purse, which may have contained around 100, was missing from the house.

In a bizarre twist to the investigation, a Christmas card was sent to South Yorkshire Police last Christmas which said: "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."

Mr Jessop said it was possible that Mrs Tait knew her attacker and said that anyone with information that may assist in the investigation could contact the investigation team on 01709 443465 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.