A TEACHER who worked with “Aunty Betty” says the murder of the feisty woman who got stuck into pony trekking, canoeing and assault courses in her 60s is “abhorrent”.

Keith Wakefield taught with Betty Yates at Kidderminster’s former St John’s Middle school for more than 20 years.

Now a teacher at Baxter College, he remembers her as “an absolute treasure” who was adored by her pupils.

“She was working with special needs children and they absolutely loved her to bits,” said Mr Wakefield.

“They used to call her Aunty Betty, as did the staff after a time. I never saw her angry or upset.

“When she retired in 1999 the hall was full. We gave her a hammock as a leaving present and joked that she would never use it as she could never relax. She was so active.

“I remember taking 60 children down to Wales to go canoeing and pony trekking. She must have been in her early 60s and came with her husband. One day both of them got kitted up and did this assault course and got absolutely covered in mud.

She wouldn’t watch kids do something – she was involved herself.”

He described his former colleague as a “beam of light” and a loss to the school when she retired.

“It was hard enough to get her to retire,” he said.

Speaking of her shock death, he said: “I just can’t believe it. I know she would have put up a fight. She was a very feisty character and she would be in their faces.

“To do this to a defenceless lady is abhorrent.”