£10,000 reward over organist murder

A £10,000 reward has been offered to help track down the killer or killers of a church organist who died after he was attacked on Christmas Eve.

Lay preacher Alan Greaves died after being attacked on his way to midnight mass in High Green, Sheffield.

The 68-year-old grandfather was making his way to St Saviour's Church from his home a few hundred yards away when he was subjected to the attack. He died from severe head injuries three days later.

South Yorkshire Police said the charity Crimestoppers had put up a reward of up to £10,000 to help track down the person or persons responsible. Officers said there still appears to be no motive for the attack.

Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick said: "People must have been out and about in the village and someone must have seen or know something about this assault. We'd urge them to come forward and help gain justice for the family."

The reward will be available to anyone providing information to Crimestoppers leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons responsible for Mr Greaves' death.

At a service after her husband's death, Mr Greaves's widow, Maureen, said she had wept over the "evil that has been done". She told the congregation of St Saviour's she had felt their love and support since her husband died.

Mrs Greaves said: "I have not stopped crying for him and I know you have not stopped either.

"I have wept over the evil that has been done. I have prayed for you and I know you have prayed for me. You were Alan's Christian family and he loved belonging to this church. I have felt your love towards me."

Two men have been arrested in connection with Mr Greaves's death and later released on bail pending further inquiries.