Crimewatch appeal will focus on county murders (From Worcester News)

Crimewatch appeal will focus on county murders

9:20am Thursday 26th January 2012 in News By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

SEPARATE Worcestershire murder probes will be featured on BBC 1’s Crimewatch tonight as detectives attempt to crack both cases.

The killing of Worcester man Andrew Heath after an arson attack on his flat in Warndon, and the brutal attack and fatal stabbing of retired teacher Betty Yates in Bewdley will both appear on the programme at 9pm.

More details of both cases will be revealed.

And the case of escapee murder suspect John Anslow, who was sprung from a prison van in Redditch on Monday – and remains at large – will also feature.

In the case of 52-year-old Mr Heath – a former doorman – the programme will shed new light on how the fatal fire at his flat in Chedworth Close started at about 4am on Wednesday, December 14.

Crucially DCI Paul Williamson, leading the investigation, will reveal people spotted at the scene have still not come forward, despite repeated appeals and a £10,000 reward for information leading to his killers’ capture.

Mr Heath is now known to have called 999, realising the fire had trapped him in his home.

His parents Les and Helen, who adopted him when he was seven months old, will say: “he was caring, kind, loving boy”.

Leia Charleson, his sister, tells how “it felt as if somebody had eradicated every part of Andrew because there’s very little left.”

DCI Williamson will tell viewers: “We know from the 999 call that Andrew knows his porch is on fire. The heat and smoke must have been unbearable.

“He knows he’s trapped inside the premises and he’s desperately trying to get help.

“The front doorway has been completely destroyed, as have the stairs, and it’s this fact that makes me think this is a targeted attack against Andrew, effectively blocking off any escape. I am urging everyone, particularly Worcester and Warndon residents, to tune in for new details we have on the case.

“It could trigger someone’s memories of that night and provide the vital piece of information to unlock this case.”

l Betty Yates was found dead having been battered with her own walking stick and fatally stabbed at her remote cottage off Dowles Road a mile from Bewdley on Wednesday, January 4.

It is thought she was killed on Bank Holiday Monday, January 2.

The studio appeal will urge the authors of two anonymous letters received by police to come forward and tell detectives what they know.

Both were typed and one was posted in a hand-written envelope delivered to Bewdley Police Station on Monday, January 16.

The other, posted in an envelope with a printed address was handed to officers in the major incident room at Stourport two days later.

They are thought to have come from separate sources.

A £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the killers of the 77-year-old is also offered.

Anyone with information should call West Mercia Police on 0800 3333000 Crimewatch Update will follow with any new leads as a result of the programme at 10.35pm.