Callous con man threatens 92-year-old and takes £400

A callous cold caller who claimed to be a council worker conned an elderly woman out of cash after calling twice at her Middleton home.

At about 11.20am no 24 June 2014, a man in a white Transit van called at a house on Lister Road.

He told the 92-year-old occupant he was from the council and required £400 to erect scaffolding around the house in order to carry out repairs.

The woman refused to hand over any money and the man left.

He returned about 20 minutes later and gained access to the house.

He told the woman and her son, aged 66, that failure to pay the £400 would result in legal action.

Due to the confusion over the situation and threats made against the two people, the requested amount was paid.

The offender left in the van, driven by a second unknown person towards Lands End Road.

The offender is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with very short fair hair and in his early 30s. He was wearing a dark t shirt and dark trousers and dark work gloves and spoke with a slight Irish accent.

Detective Constable Nick Price, said: “Crimes where elderly members of our community are deliberately targeted are especially galling.

“Unperturbed by being knocked back, the man has returned and levelled threats of legal action should his demands not me met.

“Worried that the threats may be genuine and concerned and confused by the situation the woman has unfortunately handed over the cash.

“I now want help to track down this lowlife thief before he preys on anyone else.

“If you have information about who he might be, the person he was with or the van used, please call me.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8577/8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.