December 11, 2019 10.19 am This story is over 51 months old

Police follow new lines to find killer of Bourne man Alan Wood

It has remained unsolved for more than ten years
Murder victim Alan Wood. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

The officer investigating the brutal murder of Bourne man Alan Wood is following new lines of inquiry to find the killer.

It was a shocking torture and murder case which has remained unsolved for more than ten years whilst Alan’s family look for answers.

Alan Wood was bound, tortured and mutilated in his home near Bourne. He died of stab wounds.

Alan Wood’s hands were bound with sellotape and he had been stabbed repeatedly in the head at his home near Bourne in 2009.

His throat was then cut, but the most disturbing element of the attack came after his death – a deep wound to the back of his neck suggesting an attempted decapitation.

Now the senior investigating officer Martin Holvey has been able to rule out some suspects and follow up on new tips of vehicles and descriptions.

A ten-year anniversary appeal led to a “really good response” from the public, the officer said.

Martin Holvey added: “A number of people have contacted us with information including people who didn’t speak with us in 2009.

“We continue to work on information provided to us and we’ve been able to eliminate some names from the investigation where members of the public had suspicions.

“We are also in the process of reviewing CCTV of vehicles or descriptions that have been given to us.

“Some people believe they may have seen the man using the cashpoint in both Bourne and Stamford.”

Photo: Lincolnshire Police

He also said police never close a murder investigation and that this case is one of “our force’s most serious and disturbing unsolved crimes”.

Detectives have long thought that the wounds were inflicted to torture the 50-year-old possibly to give up his bank card PIN numbers.

The cards were used at cashpoints in Bourne and Stamford to remove a small amount of money from his account over a couple of days after his murder.

A witness at one of the cash machines has also helped the police create this picture of the suspect. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Police said there is no clear motive other than financial gain.

A £40,000 reward is being offered by Sainsbury’s, where Alan worked, for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Crimestoppers have added £10,000 to the reward, bringing the total to £50,000, making it one of the largest offered in a UK murder investigation.

Family closure is needed

Alan’s mother Maureen Wood and sister Sylvia Allett. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Alan’s mother Maureen Wood said: “I have tried to get on with my life but the last 10 years have been really difficult, losing such a loved son and not knowing why it happened or who was responsible.

“There is not a day that goes by without me thinking of Alan and why someone would have done this to such an innocent man. I don’t want to go to my grave without knowing why it happened.

“If there is anyone out there who has any information that can help the police identify the murderer and provide me with some closure before I have to leave this world, then please, please get in touch with the police.”

Alan’s sister Sylvia Allet added: “I don’t think we will ever come to terms with what happened or why Alan was targeted in such a way.

“He was a genuine good guy and although he did not have a great deal of money or valuables, if someone was so desperate for help he would have given them what he had.

“There was no reason for him to have been treated as he was.”

Alan was married to Joanne Wood for 17 years and, although they separated in 2003, they remained on good terms.