Crimewatch reconstruction of Bertie Acheson murder

The murder of Coleraine pensioner Bertie Acheson is to be featured on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

Bertie Acheson, 72, was assaulted after he confronted an intruder in his Glenmore Gardens home on 30 April.

He suffered a heart attack during the burglary which detectives said was brought on by stress.

The detective leading the murder investigation said they hoped the Crimewatch reconstruction would help them make an "important breakthrough".

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison said: "Someone knows who was responsible for taking Bertie's life, leaving his elderly wife, Sheila, completely distraught and leaving the wider family circle absolutely devastated for nothing more than a few hundred pounds from Sheila's purse.

"I would remind everyone there is a £10,000 reward on offer from the independent charity, Crimestoppers, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Bertie's murder."

Mr Acheson and his wife were in bed when they were awakened at about 01:30 BST by the sound of breaking glass.

Mr Acheson got up out of bed to see what had happened and went into the kitchen where he was confronted by a man who demanded money.

After a struggle, Mr Acheson fell to the floor.

The intruder then made his way into the bedroom where he threatened Mrs Acheson, who is 70 and suffers from arthritis, before escaping with her red purse which contained £375.

Mrs Acheson raised the alarm but her husband was dead by the time police and paramedics arrived.

Crimewatch will be broadcast on BBC One at 21:00 BST on Thursday 31 May.