The widow of tragic Baildon pastor Michael Pollard will mark the first anniversary of his death by making an emotional return to the spot where he was killed.

Jo Pollard is planning to visit Hungary in August to lay flowers at the memorial, set up by local people near the layby where robbers killed her husband and left her for dead.

During her trip to the north-eastern town of Nyiregyhaza Mrs Pollard, 56, plans to take up an invitation to visit the parents of one of the three young men convicted of her husband's manslaughter.

And she even hopes to be able to visit the killers in prison to let them know she forgives them for the attack, which happened on August 5 while the Pollards were en route to Romania with a consignment of aid.

New Zealand-born Mrs Pollard said: "It's not a pilgrimage and would be a one-off - I wouldn't want to go back every year but would just like to see the place where it happened with my own eyes.

"When it happened the layby was in darkness. The next morning my eyes were all stuck up because of the narcotics the robbers sprayed in my face. And when I was there for the trial there wasn't time to go.

"I've seen the spot on TV footage and have a picture of it in my imagination but I just feel I'd like to go back to have a walk round and see it for myself.

"I think it will help me as I still haven't been able to grieve properly. Once I've done this and the inquest is over I'll hopefully be able to start a new chapter in my life.''

The mother-of-three grown-up children, who spent a week in a Hungarian hospital before being allowed to fly home, added: "I don't know if the authorities will allow me visit the men in prison but if they do I'll ask them what it's like and let them know I do forgive them and pray for them.

"In spite of everything they're still human beings and although people might find it very strange I do have a love for them.''

Mr Pollard, 62, pastor of the Emmanuel Evangelical Church at Baildon Green, died after he and his wife stopped their camper van in a layby near Nyiregyhaza and were targeted by Istvan Dudas, 19, Attila Bilecz and Laszlo Mester, both 23, who got away with less than £50.

Three weeks ago Mrs Pollard travelled to Budapest, where an appeal hearing at the country's Supreme Court upheld the men's 11, seven and six-year sentences.

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