Brave Betty stabbed to death after tackling burglar

A 'feisty' pensioner was stabbed to death after confronting a burglar at her secluded Midland cottage, murder detectives feared today.

Retired school teacher Betty Yates, aged 77, died of a single knife wound after being attacked at her home between Dowles Road and the River Severn, in Bewdley.

The widow's body was discovered by police on Wednesday who are looking at the theory she was killed while fending off raiders as a major line of investigation.

Officers said a post mortem carried out by a Home Office pathologist had confirmed the pensioner died of a stab wound.

A knife has been recovered from the scene and is now undergoing forensic examination by experts.

Friends today described Mrs Yates as a "feisty and independent" woman who would have "probably put up a good fight".

The attack took place between Monday and Wednesday. Police were alerted when a friend became concerned after being unable to contact Mrs Yates.

Neighbour Lynne Marshall said: "She was very fit and feisty and I would say she probably put up a good fight."

The victim's older sister, Joan Church, 79, who lives near Ludlow, spoke of her pride in her sister and described her as "a wonderful person".

Her daughter, solicitor Hazel Costello, 53, who lives near Stafford, was too upset to comment.

Verity Worthington, a former pupil of the tragic woman, said on a Facebook memorial page set up entitled 'RIP Betty Yates': "Mrs Yates went above and beyond the call of duty.

"Teaching was her passion, her life.

"She had a way with children – she didn't just teach us, she loved every single one of us as we did her."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the murder investigation at West Mercia Police, said: "Our thoughts are with Mrs Yates's family at this sad time for them.

"Mrs Yates was subjected to a violent attack and we are determined to catch the person or people responsible." The pensioner was well-known in the community and taught in the Wyre Forest area for a number of years.

One of the schools she worked at was St John C of E Middle School, in Blakebrook, Kidderminster. She worked as an arts teacher before retiring in 1999.

Mrs Yates was also a member of the Bewdley Civic Society and an active participant of the Wyre Forest University of the Third Age, an activities group for older people.

She had lived alone at the cottage, called Riverscroft, since the death of her husband, Raymond, seven years ago.

It is in a secluded spot, one of three properties on the western bank of the River Severn and accessed by a dirt track from Dowles Road.

Friends are said to have urged her to move home, closer to the community a number of times but she had always refused as the house had good memories of her husband.

She is survived by a son and daughter and had only recently celebrated her 77th birthday on December 28.