Youth released following OAP murder

Police described the killers as 'animals'

A 16-year-old arrested in connection with the murder of a pensioner has been released without charge.

Retired factory worker Kenneth Pritchard, 85, died from a heart attack after being attacked in front of his wife Flora in their Wolverhampton flat on Friday.

Two bogus council officials had tricked their way into the couple's home and hit Mr Pritchard across the head as he tried to protect his wife.

The teenager was arrested on Saturday with a 24-year-old man who was released without charge the following day.

Kenneth Pritchard was known as gentle and polite

West Midlands Police had applied for an extra 24 hours to interview the youth, an extension which expired on Monday evening.

Mrs Pritchard is being comforted by police officers and relatives following the incident.

A post-mortem examination established that the pensioner died of heart failure, believed to be brought on by stress.

Chief Inspector John Colston said Mr Pritchard died after going to the aid of his 83-year-old wife, Flora, who was confronting two men who had posed as council officials checking for damp.

'Resisted attack'

"He was trying to protect his property and everything else," said. Chief Insp Colston.

"He and his wife certainly didn't acquiesce. They didn't just sit down and take it. Force was used on them because they were resisting."

Mr Pritchard managed to phone police after the men left, but then collapsed. Officers were unable to resuscitate him.

More than 100 officers were drafted in to help in the investigation.