Bank cards clue in Judith Richardson murder probe
Detectives hunting the killer of a 77-year-old Northumberland woman say bank cards were missing from a bag belonging to her which was dumped in a waste bin.
Tests showed Judith Richardson had been the victim of a "brutal" hammer attack at her home in Hexham on 19 August.
Police were alerted when her handbag was found in a waste bin in Newcastle's Clayton Street. Two pensioners have since been arrested and bailed.
A week on, officers were in Clayton Street seeking potential witnesses.
More than 40 officers are now working on the murder investigation.
Detectives were spending much of Friday in Clayton Street, speaking to the public about anything they might have seen a week ago.
Police said Miss Richardson died as a result of blows from a hammer which was found near her home in an Aldi bag.
A man aged 84 and woman aged 78 were arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed pending further inquiries.
Det Ch Insp Paul Young, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "We have officers out to help trace people who may routinely visit the area and may have witnessed something last Friday.
"The bag was taken from Miss Richardson's home on Friday and deposited in a bin outside the Mind charity shop on Clayton Street between 1pm and 5pm last Friday.
"There appear to be some bank cards missing and have not yet been located. We seek any information from the public who may have seen these cards."