Witness plea sign attacked
Police investigating the death of a Lichfield pensioner have slammed the "mindless" action of yobs who hurled an appeal for information sign into a city pool. The stunt has added to the distress of Larry Doherty's family.
The stunt has added to the distress of Larry Doherty's family, who were today saying a last goodbye at his funeral.
The 76-year-old died in hospital after he was in collision with a car while walking in Beacon Street when out shopping .
Police, who have now replaced the sign, removed Friday or Saturday night and thrown into Minster Pool, fear they could have lost vital witnesses while it was missing.
Staffordshire Police spokesman Peter Stevens said: "It beggars belief - it is mindless vandalism which could have serious consequences.
"It is a cost to the council tax payer but more importantly it was put there for a very good reason - to get information about a very serious incident where a man has died as a result of a road traffic collision.
"We could miss a vital witness because of what has happened."
The sign was chained to a lamppost in Beacon Street, at its junction with Swan Road, where Mr Doherty was in collision with a Peugeot car on November 1, just after 5pm.
Mr Doherty of Dimbles Hill, died in hospital a few days after the accident.
The former heating and ventilation installer leaves a partner, three children and several grandchildren.
Daughter Tina Doherty said today of the stunt: "I am annoyed and distressed, it is not going to help the situation if the sign is missing and people don't know, it's just society today."
Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call police on 0800 555111.
By Victoria Hoe
