Mother dies and son hurt in Durham fuel raid

Jun 24 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A FARMER’S wife died and her son was badly injured after being targeted by a fuel thief.

Police last night issued an urgent appeal for witnesses to the raid and its aftermath on Sunday night to come forward. Frank and Rosemary Dove were returning home to East House Farm, on the edge of the village of Bishop Middleham, between Ferryhill and Sedgefield, County Durham, when they saw a man trying to steal diesel from a pump at the side of the farm.

When Mr Dove, who is in his late sixties, went to confront the intruder his wife, 68, went inside to phone the police and alert relatives who live on a nearby farm.

Mrs Dove complained of feeling unwell immediately after making the 999 call and collapsed. She was later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Meanwhile Mrs Dove’s husband, who was unaware of what had happened to his wife, was joined by his son Michael and other relatives in their own vehicles in chasing the suspect’s pick-up truck across fields behind the farm.

At one stage, when it appeared the pick-up had been cornered, Michael, who is in his mid-40s, got out and approached it.

The pick-up was driven straight at him along a farm track and clipped him, knocking him into a ditch.

Michael was taken by ambulance to North Tees Hospital with a double hip fracture and a minor head wound. His injuries are not life threatening.

Chief Inspector Paul Harker last night appealed to the public for help to find the pick-up truck and identify the raiders. He said: “At this stage it is not clear exactly how many people were in the pick-up.

“We urgently need any help that will lead us to those involved in this tragic series of events that has left the Dove family absolutely devastated.

“The pick-up eventually crashed out of the field and made good its escape. A search of the locality, which also involved the police helicopter, has so far drawn a blank.”

The intruder is described as white, of muscular build with short, dark brown hair and aged between 20 and 30. He was wearing a checked shirt.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 60 60 365 or anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.