"Someone knows what happened to Tommy"

South Yorkshire Police have launched a fresh appeal for information following the pensioner’s murder a year ago.

The 80-year-old former soldier was found with life-threatening injuries at home on October 1 last year. He died in hospital nearly five months later.

Det Ch Insp Vicky Short said: “Today, Friday September 30, marks one year since Tommy was brutally attacked in his own home in Salisbury Road, Maltby.

“We know that at some point between this evening into the early hours of Saturday October 1 one year ago, Tommy was subjected to a nasty and vicious assault that left him with significant injuries.

“He was taken to hospital when he was discovered on Saturday morning a year ago, where he received medical treatment and remained in a critical condition. He sadly died as a result of his injuries on Tuesday 23 February this year.

“His family and friends have been left devastated by his loss and this incident sent shockwaves through the local community.

“The last year has seen extensive investigative work by officers across the force, as well as a Crimewatch reconstruction in June this year.

“We still believe there are people out there who are yet to come forward and tell us what they know about the events of one year ago. 

“I urge those people to get in touch and allow us to offer Tommy’s family some closure after a very painful and upsetting year.”

Detectives believe Tommy’s life savings — around £30,000 in cash — were stolen from Tommy’s home the night of the attack, along with a safety deposit box. An identical box was recovered from a canal in the Kilnhurst area of Rotherham around two weeks later, however it was empty.

Three men, aged 23, 30 and 35, were arrested in connection with the ongoing murder investigation in August this year. They remain on police bail pending further enquiries.

Five additional people were arrested in connection with the incident but have since been released.

DCI Short added: “The charity Crimestoppers continue to offer a £10,000 reward in connection to our investigation, and I have a team of dedicated detectives who are solely committed to working on this case, to uncover who is responsible for such a cruel and heartless assault on a vulnerable man.

“Throughout this week we’ve had officers in the Maltby area speaking to residents and offering reassurance as we approach this weekend.

“Please, if you do know anything about this incident, give us a call or pass the information to Crimestoppers in confidence.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 or email [email protected], quoting incident number 408 of October 1, 2015.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.