Grocer Frank Newbery's death file still open

NEWCASTLE Police have handed a report on the bashing death of inner-city shop owner Frank Newbery, 87, to the NSW Coroner.Newcastle City Command crime manager Brad Tayler said while investigations into Mr Newbery's death remained open, a report for the Coroner had to be prepared.Detective Chief Inspector Tayler said a full review of the investigation had been conducted after the merging of the Newcastle City and Waratah local area commands and, with no new leads, the report had been tendered."From our point of view it is just a procedure that has to be followed," he said."Mr Newbery's death is an investigation that remains on our books."Mr Newbery's body was found under cardboard boxes on the floor of his Union Street shop on March 12, 2007.No one has been charged in relation to his death despite a $100,000 reward for information leading to the murderer and a public campaign calling for leads.Mr Newbery had been bashed and his body concealed in his shop during business hours.