The family of a popular farmer who was found dying in the grounds of his north-east home four years ago believe his attackers are still at large.
And the family of Sandy Ingram – who died from his injuries almost a year after he went into his garden looking for two prowlers spotted late at night – has appealed to anyone who could help them finally solve the mystery about what happened to him.
In the years that have passed since the 80-year-old was found motionless by his wife outside his Newmachar home in Aberdeenshire, the police are no closer to establishing what happened to him that fateful night.
The case remains open while officers establish whether his head injuries were the result of an attack or if he simply fell.
But last night, Mr Ingram’s son Andrew said his family still believe someone is to blame for the tragic circumstances his father was found in.
He said that they were still clinging to the hope that someone, somewhere knows what happened.
“It’s been such a long time now – we just want answers and to find out what happened,” he said.
“I just can’t believe that nobody seems to know what happened and that nobody has come forward after all this time.
“You would think that someone would have a guilty conscience and that they might speak about it.”
The pensioner was found unconscious by his wife Ann after he went outside to challenge two men who were seen in the grounds of his home, Elrick House, on the B979 Kinmundy-Blackburn road near Newmachar, on June 19, 2010.
Mr Ingram spent several weeks in a high-dependency unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he underwent brain surgery.
It was hoped he would make a recovery when he was moved to the city’s Woodend Hospital and could tell police what happened.
But he never recovered and died almost a year later on June 2, 2011.
His son said they were finding it hard to come to terms with what happened as there are still so many unanswered questions.
“I phone the police from time to time to see if there’s any update, but I’m told that no one has come forward with anything new,” he said.
“When you’re busy it’s easy to get on with things. But when you’re not, it’s so easy to keep thinking about what happened that night over and over in your head.
“The anniversary of his death is the hardest, as we still don’t know what happened to him that night and it’s very hard to accept.”
Mr Ingram urged anyone with any information – however insignificant they think it might be – to come forward and give the family the answers they need.
“Even if you think the information is not relevant and even if you think it won’t help, please come forward and tell us,” he said.
“It might just help.”
Police launched a massive public appeal for information in the weeks after Mr Ingram was found.
Detective Inspector Richie Guild – who led the investigation – appealed directly to the two men who were spotted in his garden to come forward.
One was described as wearing a light baseball cap – possibly green – with a darker peak. The other was said to have been wearing dark clothing and had dark, almost shoulder-length, hair.
Despite numerous appeals, forensic investigations and interviewing a number of suspects, the circumstances that led to Mr Ingram’s injuries still remain a mystery.
Yesterday, DI Guild made another plea for any information which could help establish once and for all what happened.
“As with all long running inquiries, we will react to any new information we receive,” he said.
“Anyone who may have information as to what happened to Mr Ingram that night is urged to contact Police Scotland.”
More than 200 mourners packed Newmachar Parish Church for a funeral service in Mr Ingram’s memory.
The Rev Douglas McNab paid tribute to a “private, gentle man” who had a great passion for farming and love for his family.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.