Suspects bailed over widow attack

Two teenage boys held over the death of a widow have been released on bail.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, suffered serious head injuries as she tried to cling on to her handbag, containing her husband’s ashes, during an attack in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.

She died in hospital at about midnight on Friday.

Two youths were originally arrested on suspicion of robbery, but were later questioned on suspicion of murder.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Two teenage boys arrested in connection with the death of an elderly lady in Shaw have been bailed.

“The boys, aged 14 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of murder and have been bailed until 9 January.”

Former school cleaner and cotton mill worker Mrs Geraghty was found collapsed in an alleyway near her home in Shaw just before noon on Thursday.

Inside her handbag was a blue velvet bag containing the ashes of her husband Frank – who died 17 years ago – in a small box, and also £200 in cash.

The handbag was missing from the scene, but the strap was still in the pensioner’s hand.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Mrs Geraghty died from a head injury.

In a statement, her family said: “Nellie is much-loved and will always be remembered by all her friends and family.”

The statement continued: “We have lost the best mum in the world, the best sister, grandmother, auntie and friend a person could ever have.

“We will miss you terribly.”