THE son of murdered pensioner Beatrice Wilson has appealed to police to reopen her case, saying: "I just want some form of closure."

Peter Wilson's mother was found dead in her sheltered flat at Millfield, Creekmoor, in July 2000.

The 74-year-old grandmother had been brutally stabbed more than 10 times as she lay defenceless on her bed.

Two years later, a 17-year-old Poole boy was cleared of her murder following a trial at Winchester Crown Court and police decided not to reopen the inquiry.

But Mr Wilson, of Bournemouth Road in Lower Parkstone, said he believes subsequent advances in DNA testing could help find his mother's killer.

"I want to see the case reopened," he said. "DNA testing has progressed so much in the last five years and I really believe it could reveal something new.

"I just want some form of closure. The years since her murder have been horrendous. I've not slept properly ever since, I just have too many questions going around my head."

One of these questions concerns the mystery disappearance of a gold 'Nan' necklace worn by Mrs Wilson.

When police failed to find it in her flat, it was believed the murderer may have taken it.

But months later, Mr Wilson found the necklace within minutes of entering the property, leading him to believe it may have been taken and then returned.

He said he was also frustrated that a conversation between two teenage girls about the case was overheard and reported to police, only to be dismissed as schoolgirl gossip.

Taxi driver Mr Wilson said: "I do not believe my mother was killed by a 15-year-old acting on his own and I would like to see the case thoroughly reviewed."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Redstone, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said: "The case of Beatrice Wilson has never been concluded. As and when fresh information comes to light, we will investigate it."

First published: March 18, 2006