Tommy Ward funeral delayed due to inquest decision

THE family of ex-miner Tommy Ward, who died five months after being badly beaten by burglars, may have to wait several weeks before they can hold his funeral.

An inquest has yet to be opened on the 80-year-old ex-soldier, whose home in Salisbury Road, Maltby, was targeted by robbers who stole his £30,000 life savings.

Doncaster Coroner’s Office confirmed it had opened a formal investigation into Mr Ward’s death last month but said no decision on whether an inquest would be held would be taken until this investigation was concluded.

No formal cause of death has been revealed yet.

Family friend and Maltby businessman Ryan Bevan, who employs Mr Ward’s grandson Luke, said the family had begun making funeral plans but had not confirmed a date for the service as they had been told the investigation and getting the go-ahead could take up to eight weeks.

Mr Bevan has offered a £5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his killers being caught and said he had spoken to police officers who welcomed the gesture.

No-one has been charged with the killing.

Mr Bevan said there had been “Chinese whispers” in Maltby about the attack but nothing firm which the police had been able to act upon.