Pot-bellied conman steals £1,400 from Hove pensioner

A pot-bellied conman tricked an 85-year-old pensioner from Hove into handing over £1,400 cash.

The crook pretended to be a workman when he called at the pensioner’s home in Cranmer Avenue, Hove, on Friday (14 June) at about 1pm.

The bogus caller said that he thought that the rood needed repairing and he persuaded the pensioner to let him into the loft to take a look.

The victim paid £1,400 cash to the doorstep conman who left without carrying out any work and was not seen again.

Sussex Police said that the bogus builder was a fat white man, about 5ft 5in tall, aged about 40 and with short light brown hair.

The tubby crook was wearing a grey golfing-style cap, a large loose black jumper, grey loose-fitting trousers and grey trainers.

An unseen accomplice was thought to have been waiting near by.

Detective Constable Brad Lozynski said: “This was a really unpleasant theft which has left the victim greatly distressed.

“Please contact us if you saw this man or his accomplice in Hove on Friday.

“We regularly remind local residents, especially the elderly, to beware of cold callers.

“Do not allow them into your property and do not enter into any financial agreement with them unless you are completely satisfied that they are genuine.

“If in doubt, keep them out and call us via 999 if they are still present or near by or via 101 if they have left the scene.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about this theft is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.