• e-mail

Josephine Kaye was assaulted when she answered the door at her home in Stoke-on-Trent on February 27, according to Staffordshire Police

A 'murdered' 88-year-old grandmother was subject to a sickening attack in her own home after she was shoved to the floor by a bogus gas man before dying 19 days later.

Josephine Kaye was assaulted as she answered the door at her Stoke-on-Trent property on February 27.

Staffordshire Police said the pensioner was threatened with a screwdriver before burglars stole thousands of pounds worth of cash. 

The force have made three arrests as part of their probe following the attack where she was visited by a 'man posing as a gas man' at her Harington Drive home in Weston Coyney according to an inquest.

The inquest heard how gas works had been taking place in her street where the attack took place. 

The 88-year-old passed away at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on March 17. 

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Sarah Murphy said: 'She was an 88-year-old lady admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital on February 27 after an assault in her own home.  

'She was pushed to the ground by a man posing as a gas man as there had been gas works in the street. He took money from the property.

'She had a previous medical history of osteoarthritis and ischemic heart disease. Her injuries consisted of a left femoral fracture and she sustained bruising to both arms.

'A post-mortem examination has been requested. There is reason to suspect the death was violent and an inquest is going to be required. The family will be given a progress update in six weeks time. The body has been released for funeral purposes.'

Police have previously appealed for sighting of a safe which was stolen from Josephine’s home, with belief it may have been abandoned locally.

A 52-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman who are both from Stoke-on-Trent - have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They are currently on bail. A 27-year-old Leicestershire man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and other alleged offences. 

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 654 of February 27, message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

The force said the pensioner was threatened with a screwdriver before burglars stole thousands of pounds worth of cash. The incident is being treated as murder

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.