A GREAT great grandmother of 92 who was the victim of a terrifying robbery in her Bury home, has died. Now Mrs Ethel Davies's family are demanding police step up their hunt for the cowardly thief. And they believe he should be charged with causing her death as well as the theft.

The old lady was pushed, forced to sit in a chair and had a hand placed over her mouth to stop her screaming for help before the callous thief escaped with her handbag and purse, worth just £20.

The thug, who claimed to be collecting Yellow Pages, called at the woman's sheltered accommodation home in Griffin Close at 6pm on December 2. Mrs Davies was not physically injured but was badly shaken. She died on Thursday in her armchair from what her family believe was delayed shock. Her son-in-law Mr George Ormston, from Merseyside, said: "Ethel had great difficulty in sleeping after the attack and every time she closed her eyes she kept seeing her attacker's face. He should be tried for her murder.

"She was a lovely, trusting elderly lady who enjoyed making teddy bears for her family and church. She didn't deserve this."

A post mortem examination at Fairfield revealed that Mrs Davies died from heart disease.

Police in Bury have ruled out charging the culprit in relation to the pensioner's death.

Detective Inspector Ian Jackson of Bury CID said: "Someone must have information as to the identity of the suspect, particularly from the method he uses to gain access to people's homes."

He reminded old folk not to open their door to anyone without first checking their identity or summoning the aid of a warden or other care worker.

Callers can freephone CrimeStoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111. They need not give a name and could qualify for a cash reward.

The thug was white, aged 25-30, 5ft 6inch tall, with short fair hair, thin features and was wearing brown leather gloves.

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