Police release CCTV of murder victim before brutal attack

Published on 10/10/2012 14:02

POLICE have released CCTV footage of the movements of murdered pensioner Ronnie Simpson leading up to his death.

• Police say pensioner was victim of brutal assault and had serious head injuries.

• Family tell of devastation at their loss

Mr Simpson, 67, was found dead in his home in Mayfield Drive, Armadale just after 9pm on Saturday night.

CCTV has confirmed Mr Simpson visited local shops on South Street near his home at around 12.45pm on Wednesday, October 3.

Mr Simpson’s son, Ross, 31, remains in hospital after being attacked in a bar in nearby Polbeth on Friday night. Two men have been charged with assault and appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Monday.

Extra police patrols have been deployed to reassure the public.

More than forty police officers are following several of lines of enquiry in a bid to catch Mr Simpson’s killer. The local community is understood to be helping with the investigation.

In a statement, Mr Simpson’s family - daughter Kay Simpson and son Ross - said: “We loved our father very much indeed, and we are so devastated by our loss.

“Dad was well-known within the local community and I have no doubt that he’ll be missed by everyone who knew him.”

Disturbance

Meanwhile, detectives have renewed their appeal for witness who many have seen Mr Simpson since last Wednesday to come forward.

They are also still appealing for any information about visitors to and from his address.

There were reports of a disturbance at the address on Friday evening at around 10pm, however officers who responded conducted enquiries and found no signs of a disturbance at the time.

Mr Simpson, who was frail and walked with a stick or a crutch, was a well-known member of the local community and was often seen travelling to and from the local shops.

He often got out of breath so would regularly stop to take a rest.

Detective Superintendent Bob Cowper said: “The response from the local community so far has been impressive and I would like to thank those who have come forward so far with information.

“Unfortunately it hasn’t yet brought us any closer to finding Mr Simpson’s killer, and we still have no obvious motive for why he might have been targeted.

“Armadale is a tight-knit community and the reaction from the community so far has been one of shock and disbelief.

“We will continue to follow up a number of lines of enquiry to trace whoever was responsible for his death.”

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