Police stop drivers in Wolverhampton killer hunt

Detectives investigating the murder of Wolverhampton pensioner Hester Mottershead said they were "encouraged" by a car-stop appeal near her home.

Police erected a blockade along Wrottesley Road yesterday, a week after the 90-year-old's death. They asked passing motorists if they had any information.

However, they would not reveal the nature of any potential new lines of inquiry.

West Midlands spokesman Billy Corrigan said: "Officers were encouraged by the public response to the appeal. We continue to ask for information and would urge anyone who knows anything to get in touch."

A full road block was in place for around two hours near Miss Mottershead's home in Saxonfields, Tettenhall, while professionally trained officers stopped drivers .

Miss Mottershead, known to friends by her middle name Estella, died of a suspected stroke after burglars targeted her home at 2pm on August 17. Three raiders dressed in blue overalls, spent half an hour ransacking her property after conning their way inside.

When the gang left former headteacher Miss Mottershead called police but collapsed minutes later and died on Saturday.