Murder of pensioner could be linked to attacks going back ‘months or years’

Police investigating the murder of an 86-year-old woman have revealed they are looking at similar crimes going back “months, years or weeks” in a bid to find her killer.

Freda Walker was attacked along with her husband Ken, 88, at their home in Derbyshire on Saturday, 10 days after a similar attack on a couple in their 80s in Trowell, Nottinghamshire.

Mr Walker, a retired miner and former chairman of Bolsover District Council, remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries as was described as being “in and out of consciousness”.

Derbyshire Police have now said they are examining any possible similarities between a number of crimes in the Midlands area to establish if they may have been carried out by the same criminal.

That raises the disturbing possibility of a serial attacker on the loose in the area, preying on vulnerable elderly people in their homes. Trowell is a 40 minute drive along the M1 from the Walkers’ home in Langwith Junction.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Kirby, of Derbyshire Police, said: “We are looking at a number of similar offences that may have happened months, years or weeks beforehand and looking to see if we can draw similarities and bring the investigations together ultimately to solve all of those crimes.

"The incident in Trowell is being led by Notts Police, the two investigation teams are working closely together to ensure all information is shared.

"At the moment we are not formally linking those albeit some of the way the crimes took place are similar.”

In the Trowell incident the intruder is reported to have demanded money before attacking the elderly woman, leaving her suffering cuts to her head and a swollen arm while her husband suffered cuts to his face and arms.

Police, who are examining CCTV footage from around the Walkers’ home, have already advised residents to lock their doors and windows while the killer remains on the loose.

ACC Kirby described the attack on Mrs Walker and her husband as “an act of horrendous cowardice”.

He appealed on Tuesday for any information that might lead to the capture of the person responsible for her death, no matter how ”tiny or insignificant”.

"There will be somebody out there in the community who will know something that might help us.

“I'm not suggesting that people are now in danger or under attack but I am saying we need to get hold of those people straight away,” said ACC Kirby.

Nottinghamshire Police have been liaising with their Derbyshire force over the two recent attacks.

Detective Inspector Nicholas Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Officers investigating an aggravated burglary in Stoney Lane, Trowell, at around 12.26am on 6 January, are keeping an open mind about whether it could be linked to a murder investigation in Langwith Junction, Derbyshire.

“In response to community concern and media speculation we would like to make it clear that with any investigation like this we will always look at any similar incidents to see if they may be connected.”

‘Generous person with a warm spirit’

ACC Kirby paid tribute to Mrs Walker, describing the couple as the “backbone” of their local community.

“They have done so much work for the good of other people and that's what their lives were about.

“Freda was a member of local clubs including a knitting club, her whole career was in the textiles industry. Ken was a pit man, a staunch Labour supporter.

“He was a member of the council for 21 years and gave so much to that, serving actively on many committees, raising money, they both did, for local charities to make life better for people.

“He was offered an Honorary Alderman title at the end of last year. So for this to happen to a couple like that, who have given so much, is doubly tragic.”

Joan Dixon, the leader of the Labour group at Bolsover council, added: “This crime is heinous. It has rocked our community. Ken and Freda were lovely people. Please check your doorbell video and CCTV if you live in Langwith Junction for anything that may help.”

Shocked residents described Mrs Walker as a “generous person with a warm spirit” who was known for her charity work.

One neighbour said: “The couple didn't have any children and I think helping others was her way of being a mother to those who were less fortunate.

“She worked with homeless charities and just wanted people to have a chance to make a life for themselves.”