Church organist Alan Greaves murder accused in court over Christmas eve killing

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The widow of murdered church organist Alan Greaves was in court today to see two men stand accused of attacking him as he made his way to midnight mass.

Ashley Foster, 21, and Jonathan Bowling, 22, were remanded in custody accused of murder when they appeared before magistrates in Sheffield .

Mr Greaves, 68, a grandfather, died three days after he was attacked as he made his way to St Saviour's Church, near his home in High Green, Sheffield.

Mr Greaves's widow Maureen attended the short court hearing this morning.

At a service after her husband's death, Mrs Greaves said she had wept over the "evil that has been done".

Mrs Greaves sat at the back of the court during the four minute long hearing.

As she left court with Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick, who is leading the murder inquiry, she said: "Justice will be done."

Asked if her faith was helping her through this difficult time, she said: "Immensely.

"The support of the congregation and the police has been outstanding.

"I just want to pay tribute to all they've done, the sensitivity with which they've dealt with the case."

Both defendants stood in the glass-fronted dock wearing identical navy blue T-shirts and jogging bottoms.

Bowling, of Carwood Way, Pitmoor, Sheffield and Foster, of Wesley Road, High Green, stood with three security guards and spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth as well as to state their ages.

There were no applications for bail and they were told they will appear again at Sheffield Crown Court on January 18.

PA