Betty Yates hit with walking stick before stabbing

A retired teacher murdered in her secluded Midland cottage was beaten by her own walking stick before being stabbed to death, police have revealed.

Officers believe Betty Yates, aged 77, was stuck several times by the walking stick in a "sustained and violent attack" in her Bewdley home.

Police say forensic teams remain at the cottage conducting tests and have recovered the walking stick and other items for further examination.

More than 60 officers are now working on the case to piece together the final movements of Mrs Yates, a teacher in Kidderminster and Streetly.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson admitted no arrests had been made at this stage – almost a fortnight since Mrs Yates' body was discovered on January 4. But he said officers were following up many lines of inquiry from the public and through their own investigations.

DCI Jamieson said:?"This was a very, very vicious attack on an elderly lady in her private home and that's why I'm appealing for people to come forward.

"It is possible that the cottage was locked up by the killer or killers when they left using keys Mrs Yates normally carried with her.

"These were on a fob attached to a black, pencil case-size purse which we have not yet found. Finding this would be significant and I would urge anyone who may have found or seen them in the area to let us know immediately." DCI Jamieson added Mrs Yates was a keen rambler and officers visited her home after friends said she had not turned up for an organised walk the previous day.

Detectives are examining fresh video footage handed in by members of the public. The footage taken near the riverside on Bank Holiday Monday, January 2, could be vital in giving clues about who was around the time of Mrs Yates' last known movements.

And officers have appealed for further footage or photographs taken by the public to be handed in as part of the investigation.

Officers were on the streets of the town centre yesterday on the anniversary of the last known sighting of Mrs Yates two weeks ago in a bid to jog people's memories.

Related stories:

• Murdered Betty Yates 'found at bottom of stairs'

• Police in new appeal over Betty Yates' final hours

• Friends hold canlelit vigil for Betty

• Brave Betty stabbed to death after tackling burglar

• Murder probe at remote Bewdley cottage