Police investigation after woman told her hair ‘looks like it has been cut with a knife and fork’

Members of an over-55s club in South Yorkshire have been visited by the police after one of their members received poison pen letters. Great-grandmother Margaret Kitching, 76, was called a ‘gobby bitch’ and taunted about her appearance. The retired dinner lady was described as ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ and asked to stay away from the club she has attended for eight years.



She was told her hair ‘looks like it has been cut with a knife and fork’ and that she looks as ‘cheap as chips’. Mrs Kitching called in the police after receiving four letters and fingerprints have been taken from them. Members of the over-55s club, which meets fortnightly at the Oaks Workingmen’s Club in Ardsley, Barnsley, have been asked by the police to give handwriting samples.

Mrs Kitchen, who has two sons, a daughter, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren said: “Some of the things in the letters are unbelievable. They are absolutely horrible and really upsetting. I think a jealous person is behind all this. It’s caused me real heartache and sleepless nights as well as stress. When I go out of my home I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if the perpetrator is following me like a stalker.”



One of the letters was signed with a devil symbol. The club currently has about 23 members, all women in their 60s and 70s, who meet for social activities including bingo, quizzes, guest speakers and day trips to the seaside. A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We have received reports of a 76-year-old woman receiving distressing letters from an unknown person. Officers are continuing their inquiries.”