A widower told today how he felt stripped of his dignity after travellers conned him out of more than £8,000.

The 76-year-old from Southend Road, Wickford, was tricked into believing his roof was riddled with woodworm and in danger of collapsing without major repair work.

The conmen, whom police have confirmed were travellers, even scattered sawdust and maggots in his loft to convince him.

It was only after the man, who has asked not to be named, parted with £8,100 for repair work that the men fled without trace.

The victim said: "The day after they didn't show up and I felt like throwing myself in front of a train. After all these years I get conned. I have had my dignity stripped away from me."

The four men, who all spoke with an Irish accent, knocked on his door saying he had a loose roof tile which they could repair. After examining the roof they then convinced him the wood was rotten and would need replacing.

Moving into the loft, they estimated the work would cost around £12,000.

The men then persuaded the elderly victim to go straight to his building society in Wickford to withdraw the cash. One of the men even posed as his nephew to persuade building society staff to allow him to withdraw that much cash.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Wickford CID on 01268 561312.

Published Friday September 3, 2004

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