A 94-year-old man has told how a woman conned him out of up to £800 in his own home.

The pensioner, who asked not to be named, said the woman offered to do cleaning work, but when his back was turned she made off with his purse and two wallets.

The man, of Holland-on-Sea, said he had been to the butcher's and the woman initially had said hello to him on the way.

When back at the flat, the woman knocked at his door.

He said: "She came to my door and I said 'My neighbour next door has just engaged a woman to do her cleaning, are you that woman?' She said yes."

The pensioner asked if the woman would like to be his cleaner, too.

The woman said she wanted £10 a month, with £10 upfront, which the man paid.

The woman then went to the kitchen sink to fetch some water and began polishing in the bedroom.

She asked for a cup of coffee, which the man made.

He said: "I shouted 'It's ready, do you want milk or sugar?' When I went to see her, she had gone."

Missing was a purse containing £35, one wallet with £100 in and a second wallet containing several £10 notes. Also taken was a cheque book and savings cards.

The woman was about 28-30 years old and may have had a slight foreign accent. She was 5ft 8ins tall, had fair hair, medium build was wore a red pullover and blue shorts.

Anyone has any information on the incident, which happened between 11.30am and noon on Thursday, May 29, should call Clacton police on 01255 221312

Published Monday, June 9, 2003

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