A FORMER North Yorkshire pub landlord who died after what police believe may have been a 'robbery gone wrong' had been due to celebrate his 70th birthday on Friday. 

Grandfather, James Ray, from Easingwold, near Thirsk, lost his fight for life in the early hours of yesterday morning following what his family called an "abhorrent act of violence". 

He had been delivering soap powder to an industrial estate in Ashton-under-Lyne, a market town in Tameside, Greater Manchester on Thursday when he was attacked.

Police called to the Plantation Industrial Estate found him with a massive injury to the back of his head. He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, but died around 5.30am. 

Mr Ray and his wife Vivien lived on the outskirts of Easingwold in a quiet cul-de-sac. Neighbours said they were too shocked and upset to talk.

The couple are former publicans, having run the Spotted Ox in Tockwith, north-west of York, for more than a decade from 1987 and through the 1990s.

They had previously run hostelries in Harrogate, including the Old Tradition, and in Wetherby.

The Northern Echo:

York Camra members made the Spotted Ox their Pub of the Season in 1998, when it was considered a ‘Mecca to lovers of good food and beer.’ Current landlord, Ian Robinson, said Mr Ray still returned regularly to the pub, and was there as recently as last week.

He said many regulars still knew Mr Ray, and would be ‘shocked and horrified’ when they heard the news of his death.

Mr Ray leaves behind his wife, Vivian, son Adrian, daughter Catherine, and four grandchildren.
It is not thought Mr Ray was hit with a weapon, but he could have fallen or have been pushed from the van, hitting his head.

Police say the stock he had been delivering and the van itself were not worth much.
They believe the offenders left the scene in a Ford Fiesta and also drove away in the victim’s white Ford Transit van.

Two men were arrested at an address in Heywood. At least one other person is thought to have been involved.

Det Supt Jonathan Chadwick, of Greater Manchester Police, said Mr Ray's family were “understandably devastated” and specially trained officers were supporting them. 

"Today would have been James' 70th birthday and his family were planning on holding a party for him," he said. "Now, instead of celebrating a happy occasion, they are mourning the loss of a much-loved person and planning his funeral.

"It is possible that this may be a robbery that has gone wrong, however, that doesn't change the fact that a man has been killed and I would urge anybody with information to please contact the police as soon as possible."

In a statement, Mr Ray’s family said: “We are completely and utterly devastated by the death of James who was killed on the very day of his birthday. He has left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren who are stunned by this abhorrent act of violence.

“We all hope that people will come forward to report anything they may know that may help the police.”

Det Supt Chadwick said despite the arrests, more information was needed from the public.

"We believe there is at least one other person outstanding and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the van and Fiesta being driven erratically to contact police," he said.

"I would also appeal to anyone who knows who owns the Fiesta or who has been using it in recent days and weeks to call us.

"The registration of the Fiesta is SD02 HYL and has damage to the front driver's side wing. James' van was a grey Ford Transit with the registration YB11 HXV and, as it was driven off, the sliding door on the passenger side was damaged and was hanging off.”

Anybody with information is asked to call police on 0161-856 8092 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.