A frail widow who gave evidence against the policeman who stole part of her life savings while giving her crime-prevention advice has been praised for her bravery by Bradford's Lord Mayor.

And Councillor Tony Miller says he hopes Doris Midwood's courage in testifying against disgraced community policeman Kenneth Davies will act as a lesson to others.

The Lord Mayor has sent a letter and bunch of flowers to the 84-year-old great-grandmother, who lives in Shipley and gave her evidence to Leeds Crown Court from a wheelchair.

In his letter Coun Miller says he and his wife Elsie felt compelled to write to say "how brave we feel you are for seeing the matter through in the way that you did''.

He added: "Your courage and determination will, I am sure, act as an object lesson to others who find themselves in similar situations - where the daunting prospect of facing a courtroom can sometimes prove overwhelming.''

He said: "We just wanted to applaud her courage and let her know that other people are thinking about her and realise what a rotten thing it was to happen.

"She's a lovely lady and I hope the flowers will help put a little bit of cheer back into her life.''

Mrs Midwood's son Barry, a Bradford councillor for Eccleshill, said: "Tony's always been a very caring person - it's a lovely gesture and mother will be delighted.''

A jury at Leeds Crown Court found Davies, the 44-year-old community constable for the Windhill area, guilty of theft.

He was jailed for nine months after taking £700 from a tin Mrs Midwood had used to keep her savings in while advising her on how to keep them safe.

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