Mr Sheppard, aged 73, died as result of head injuries less than 24 hours after being knocked out of his wheelchair and kicked during a burglary at his home on Friday evening.

The pensioner had had one leg amputated for medical reasons and lived alone at Runnymede Gardens, Brickwell Court, Standens Barn.

He called police on Friday after the attack, but had refused to go to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

Mr Sheppard told police two men had knocked on his door at about 9.15pm on Friday, asking for a person he did not know. After he shut the door, they knocked again and when he opened it, they knocked him to the ground and assaulted him.

Speaking at a press conference, Detective Chief Inspector Katie Elliott said: "He was very, very shaken and was quite vocal in deciding he wanted to stay at home. He was checked over by an ambulance crew and he decided he didn't want to go to hospital overnight.

"The head injuries he later died from were not known to paramedics at that time. The impact to his head caused a severe bleeding on the brain."

She told reporters Mr Sheppard's wallet had also contained bank cards as well as the cash, but they have not been used since the attack.

Mr Sheppard was found lying on his bed on Saturday by a neighbour, who contacted emergency services through the warden-controlled flat's buzzer system. He died in Northampton General Hospital at 8pm - almost 24 hours after the attack took place.

Northamptonshire Police are still appealing for information about another break-in on the same street which happened between 5pm and 9pm on Friday.

Police launch murder hunt - click here

• Neighbours reaction and the latest news - in Tuesday's Chronicle & Echo