An 87-year-old retired army nurse lost nearly £1,000 when burglars searched her Southend home while she was in the living room.
The woman, who also used to work for the St John Ambulance Brigade, heard banging on the front room window of her Eastern Avenue home, police said.
She was afraid to answer the door because it was 8.40pm, but she looked out and did not seen anyone.
She returned to her chair in the living room but shortly afterwards looked up and was shocked to see a man standing in front of her.
The man claimed he had seen three men in her garden and was going to get his dad to help her.
After the man disappeared, the woman left her living room and discovered that someone else had crept into her home through the back door.
Drawers and cupboards had been emptied and £950 in cash had been stolen.
Also missing was jewellery, including a 24-moonstone necklace the victim's late husband had brought from India during the war, and an engagement ring.
The incidents happened on Monday night - call the Southend burglary unit on 01702 431212.
Published Wednesday January 7, 2004
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