Widow death inquiry CCTV released

The couple could have vital information, say police

CCTV footage has been released of a balding man and woman with a ponytail whom police want to speak to about the death of an OAP in her burgled home.

Averil Evans, 90, died from a heart attack in Hafod, Swansea in December.

Officers have previously issued footage of a man in a shop about the same time as the widow on the day she died.

Now images of the same man with a woman earlier the same day at the city's Quadrant bus station - again when Mrs Evans present - have been made public.

Police are trying to find out whether Mrs Evans was confronted by the burglars who ransacked her home.

Averil was a lady of routine - she would regularly travel on a bus from Hafod to the Quadrant shopping centre in Swansea city centre Det Ch Sup Ken Isaac

They said the couple could be witnesses and want them, or anyone who knows them, to get in touch.

The man caught on camera at the Quadrant caught the same bus as Mrs Evans back to the Hafod.

He also went into Lee's newsagents in Neath Road when she did, and was later seen "hanging around" near her Grandison Street home.

Det Ch Sup Ken Isaac said: "Averil was a lady of routine.

"She would regularly travel on a bus from Hafod to the Quadrant shopping centre in Swansea city centre and return home on the bus visiting local shops in he Hafod area."

14 DECEMBER TIMETABLE 1340: Mrs Evans catches No 8 bus from Hafod to Quadrant, Swansea city centre. Couple spotted at bus station. 1530: Mrs Evans and man catch No 8 back to Hafod Mrs Evans visits Lee's newsagents; man also buys Lucozade from newsagents 1610: Man catches No 4 bus back to Quadrant and meets the woman 1640: Man believed to have left on No 400 or 404 bus towards Llanelli Source: South Wales Police

The detective said on 14 December Mrs Evans caught the number eight bus from Hafod at around 1340 GMT to the Quadrant and went to Tesco nearby.

"The man and woman we are trying to trace were spotted on CCTV at the bus station at around the same time Averil arrived, and remained in the area that afternoon," he said.

At around 1530 GMT, Mrs Evans and the man caught the number 8 bus.

Back in Hafod Mrs Evans went to Lee's newsagents and the post office before walking home. At the same time, the man bought a bottle of Lucozade in the newsagents.

At 1610 BST, the man caught the number four bus back to the Quadrant and met the woman, said Mr Isaac.

Police believe he left half an hour later from bay 16, possibly travelling to Llanelli on the 400 or 404 service, via Gorseinon or Gowerton.

The man is 5ft 8in or less, while the woman is around the same height, has a ponytail and is between 18 and her early 30s.

He had a dark grey hooded top with a white stripe along the shoulders and arms, army-type patch pocket trousers, black boots or shoes.

The woman wore a dark tracksuit and light trainers.

Fifty detectives remain on the investigation and a £10,000 reward is still unclaimed.

Police have created an email address - [e-mail] - for people wanting to give information anonymously. You can also ring Cockett police station on 01792 562731 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.