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| Alan Greaves murder probe after Christmas Eve attack in Sheffield | Alan Greaves murder probe after Christmas Eve attack in Sheffield |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A church organist and lay preacher has died after being attacked on his way to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. | A church organist and lay preacher has died after being attacked on his way to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. |
| South Yorkshire Police said the death was being treated as murder. | South Yorkshire Police said the death was being treated as murder. |
| Alan Greaves, 68, from High Green in Sheffield, was found on a pavement near his home on Greengate Lane with a head injury on Monday at about 23:15 GMT. | |
| The force said the father of four died on Thursday evening after being treated at the city's Northern General Hospital. | The force said the father of four died on Thursday evening after being treated at the city's Northern General Hospital. |
| Det Supt Matt Fenwick, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "Mr Greaves appears to have suffered a brutal attack after leaving his home address to attend Midnight Mass. At this stage, the motive is unclear. | Det Supt Matt Fenwick, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "Mr Greaves appears to have suffered a brutal attack after leaving his home address to attend Midnight Mass. At this stage, the motive is unclear. |
| "I want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident. If you know who did this, please come forward and offer your support to the family at this difficult time." | "I want to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident. If you know who did this, please come forward and offer your support to the family at this difficult time." |
| 'Gentle giant' | 'Gentle giant' |
| Mr Greaves had been making his way to the church, as he was due to play the organ at a special communion service. | Mr Greaves had been making his way to the church, as he was due to play the organ at a special communion service. |
| Reverend Canon Simon Bessant , of St Saviour's Church at High Green, said the community was "deeply shocked and traumatised by the news". | |
| He said: "This is a man who led his professional life in Sheffield as a social worker. He and his wife worked in children's work. He has given himself to the community. | He said: "This is a man who led his professional life in Sheffield as a social worker. He and his wife worked in children's work. He has given himself to the community. |
| "He was very much a gentle giant. I can't find any other better word to describe Alan other than to say he is a good man. | "He was very much a gentle giant. I can't find any other better word to describe Alan other than to say he is a good man. |
| "There is no sense of understanding of why or how such a thing should happen." | "There is no sense of understanding of why or how such a thing should happen." |
| Mr Bessant added: "We will be losing a man who we had a huge respect for and was much valued and loved. This community will miss what he gave to them. | Mr Bessant added: "We will be losing a man who we had a huge respect for and was much valued and loved. This community will miss what he gave to them. |
| "Our hearts and thoughts go to his family and our support for them at this time." | |
| The attack happened about 300 metres (984 ft) from the church and close to a primary school. | |
| Issues over safety in the area have been raised by local residents. | Issues over safety in the area have been raised by local residents. |
| Phillip Goddard said: "It makes us feel like we're not safe at night. You just don't know if you're safe." |