THE son of 83-year-old murder victim Mary Povah today made an emotional plea for help to track down her teenage girl killer.

David Povah made the appeal following the death of his mother last week, seven months after a bungled street robbery in Leigh.

He said: "Somebody knows something about this and we want any information, because we want whoever did this to be brought to justice.

"It seems a waste of life. My mother was very active in the area and someone took that away from her, her life stopped in March."

Mrs Povah had a daughter Marilyn, as well as a son David and four grandchildren. She ran a butchers shop in Lord Street, Leigh, where she worked until she was 71. Detectives say the pensioner was attacked as she was walking along Church Street, Leigh, at about 4pm on Monday, March 23 this year. As she reached the junction with Union Street, a young woman approached her and attempted to grab the handbag she was carrying.

As Mary struggled to keep hold of her bag, she was knocked to the floor where the struggled continued. Despite being injured, Mary managed to keep hold of her handbag and the woman ran away empty handed.

She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where it was discovered she had fractured her left hip. Surgeons operated and pinned the fracture, but unfortunately Mary never fully recovered form her injury. She was admitted to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan on October 2, and died there on October 20.

A postmortem examination carried out by a Home Office Pathologist, revealed the cause of Mary's death as complications causing infection as a direct result of the injury received in the attack in March.

Mrs Povah's daughter-in-law Angela, described how Mary's condition deteriorated rapidly in the months following the attack.

She said: "She did not really realise what was happening. From being very active she just went down hill and could not do anything any more.

"She went into a nursing home and deteriorated rapidly. What was done to her was wicked.

"If the person who did this had wanted money, Mary would have gladly given it, because she was a very generous person.

"I would like the woman who did this to come forward and accept her punishment. Then maybe she could get on with her life. Mary's life has gone."

The woman who assaulted Mary is described as a white woman aged between mid teens to 20s.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the assault to contact them, as they may have vital information.

In particular, detectives would like to speak to a small crowd of people who gathered around Mary as she lay on the ground, people visiting the Liberal Club on Church Street which overlooks the scene, a number of young women in their teens and early 20s who were seen in the area, and a woman who was pushing a baby in a pram nearby. Det Supt Ian Seabridge who is leading the investigation said: "We hope that people will realise the gravity of the offence, and come forward with additional information now that Mrs Povah has sadly died."

The offence happened at a time of a spate of nine street robberies in the Leigh area. Ten people have been charged, and are expected to appear in court in connection with those offences.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 0161 856 7282.

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