A smooth-talking conman tricked his way into an elderly couple's home and fleeced them out of £200 for work he never did.

The workman also seemed to know that a plasterer was due at the couple's Billericay home. Police today appealed for help to catch the trickster before he strikes again.

PC Kevin Hopton of Billericay police said it was strange the man appeared to know the couple were expecting someone to call at their Mountnessing Road home.

He said: "The man was taken inside and shown what work needed to be done.

"He said he could do it but would need £150 for materials. When the couple said they did not have that amount of cash in the house he followed them to a cashpoint in his own vehicle where the elderly gentleman withdrew £220."

PC Hopton added: "The elderly gentleman was slightly suspicious, but not unduly. The workman then stood and counted the money."

The couple arrived back home as the plasterer they should have been expecting arrived.

Police say the couple were left shocked and embarrassed by the incident.

PC Hopton said: "They are both shocked they allowed themselves to get conned like this."

The bogus workman was in his late 20s or early 30s, 6ft tall and clean shaven.

He had short dark hair, was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a navy blue boiler suit top, and was driving a white Transit pick-up van.

He appeared to be on his own.

Police want to hear from anyone who thinks they might have been approached by this man, or who saw him in Mountnessing Road at around 9am last Wednesday.

If you can help, call PC Kevin Hopton, at Billericay police, on 01277 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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