Family appeal over widow's killer

Mrs Hughes was known as Auntie Elsie to villagers

The granddaughter of a murdered Flintshire pensioner has called the attack a "senseless and wicked act" which has "devastated our small, close family".

Elsie Hughes, aged 90, died in hospital on Friday after she was found at her home in Abermorddu, near Wrexham.

Detectives want to trace a man or youth seen wearing a hooded top near her home on the night before she died.

Claire Hughes said her grandmother was a "caring and trusting old lady".

Miss Hughes told a news conference: " We have lost someone who played a major part not only in our lives but also those of so many people in the communities of Abermorddu, Caergwrle and Hope".

Mrs Hughes' other granddaughter and Claire's sister Helen Hutcheson sobbed throughout the appeal.

Miss Hughes, who is an education official from Didsbury in Manchester, said her grandmother was "loved and respected by everyone who knew her".

A spirited, determined, funny and inquisitive woman, she strongly believed in paying her way Granddaughter Claire Hughes

"She was always there for those who needed her," she said.

"Everyone from the passing tramp who was given my dad's dinner one night to the boy next door who received a bit of pocket money for running an errand to the local shop".

Recalling the attack which led to the pensioner's death Miss Hughes added: "Last Thursday this caring and trusting old lady was savagely attacked in her own home as she was preparing to go to bed.

"The home she lived in for nearly 60 years and refused to leave, claiming that she intended to die peacefully in her chair watching Emmerdale on TV."

She added that the woman was frail and would not have posed a threat to anyone "but she endured a brutal attack and sustained horrific injuries before being callously left to die on the floor in a pool of her own blood".

A detailed forensic examination of the scene has taken place

North Wales Police have renewed their appeal for information.

Detectives want to trace a man or youth seen wearing a hooded top near her home on the night before she died.

Det Chief Supt Ross Duffield said there was no evidence of a forced entry into Mrs Hughes' house and it's "unclear whether anything was taken".

Mrs Hughes was found in the lounge of her home in Hawarden Road by relatives, alerted by a neighbour who had heard a noise.

Police have not established a motive for the murder, but confirmed that Mrs Hughes had been the victim of a distraction burglary at her home in August.

Mrs Hughes - known affectionately as "Auntie Elsie" to many of her neighbours - was a retired head cook at Castell Alun High School in Hope.

Miss Hughes said she was a spirited, funny and inquisitive woman who brought up her son and daughter single-handedly after she was widowed in her early 30s.

Anyone with information can call 0845 6071002 (English language line), or 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.