By Lou Thomas
A veteran reporter on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus who once discovered the identity of a murderer before the police, has retired after 40 years in journalism, writes Lou Thomas. Olwen Vasey was working for the South Shields Evening Chronicle on a murder story with a colleague when, after weeks of covering the story, they discovered who the murderer was.
Vasey said: "We’d covered this big hunt and had lots of evidence. We rang the newsdesk and said ‘Do we go and interview him?’ We were told we should tell the police and under no circumstances do the interview. He got life."
Vasey overcame a stroke in 1992 to continue reporting, despite only being able to type with one hand on a specially adapted keyboard.
Telegraph and Argus editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "Her dedication and commitment, which often saw her filing stories from her mobile even when she was on holiday, are an example for every young reporter. She’ll be a really tough act to follow and we’ll miss her hugely."
Vasey joined the Telegraph and Argus as chief reporter at the paper’s Shipley office in 1992. After 18 months, she was appointed city hall reporter until her retirement. She says she would now like to become a magistrate.
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