A pervert who preys on pet lovers in south Essex is being hunted by police.

He phones women who have placed adverts in the lost and found section of newspapers and tells the victims he has their missing animals.

He then offers to return the pets in exchange for sexual favours.

One victim, a Vange mother-of-three, is so scared she has had a trace put on her phone after informing police at Basildon of the calls.

Debbie Nicholson, 38, placed an advert in a newspaper after her ginger tabby Posh went missing. She said: "This pervert is making our lives a living nightmare.

"He has called me four times during the past week and has said disgusting things. He has my cat and then he reels off a string of indecent suggestions."

A Pitsea police spokesman said: "People should not have to put up with this."

Call police on 01268 532212.

Published Wednesday October 23, 2002

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