A PENSIONER in his eighties who died less than 48 hours after robbers threatened him with a shotgun was a former Slough businessman, it has emerged.

Masked robbers broke into the riverside house of 85 year-old Richard Atherton in Stone House Lane, Winter Hill, Cookham Dean on Tuesday October 21 at 8.39pm.

The burglars stole property before escaping in a car.

Mr Atherton suffered bruising and grazes during the incident and was treated by paramedics on the scene.

He died Thursday morning, October 23, in Wexham Park Hospital, after he became unwell.

An initial post-mortem of the pensioner on Friday October 24 suggested that the death was due to natural causes but further tests are being carried out to determine the exact cause.

The results are not expected for a number of weeks.

The offenders are described by Thames Valley Police as being “between 5ft 2in and 5ft 4ins and stocky and the other is between 5ft 10ins and 6ft and thin.”

Mr Atherton ran R Atherton Haulage in the 1950s for 30 years in Stow Road, Cippenham.

After selling the business ran a stone yard from the same location for twenty years.

He also ran the ‘Popin café’ on the Bath Road for 43 years before selling the business in 2007.

Det Insp Steve Armstead said: “A number of people have come forward to help with our investigation. However, I would urge anyone who has information but has not yet contacted the police to do so immediately.

“This is a tragic incident and my thoughts continue to be with the family at this difficult time.”

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Det Insp Armstead on 0845 8 505 505 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.