Mugging death boys in murder probe

Two boys are being quizzed by police in Britain today on suspicion of murdering a widow described as “the best mum in the world”, who died after muggers stole her handbag containing her husband’s ashes.

Nellie Geraghty, 79, suffered serious head injuries as she desperately tried to cling on to the bag during the attack in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.

Police said she died in Royal Oldham Hospital Hospital at around midnight on Friday.

Two youths were originally arrested on suspicion of robbery but are now being quizzed on suspicion of murder.

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 spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Two boys aged 14 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.”