Sutton Coldfield woman, 99, robbed by conmen in her home

Dec 5 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

CALLOUS conmen were today at the centre of a police manhunt after they targeted the home of a frail 99-year-old deaf and partially sighted pensioner.

The doorstep tricksters, who were posing as council officials, barged past the pensioner when she answered the door to her home in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield.

As the woman lay in agony on the floor, the men searched the flat and stole cash, jewellery and sentimental items belonging to the lady’s son who had recently died.

The pensioner suffered minor injuries in the incident at 7.10pm on Monday.

Det Con Joseph Bannister, from Sutton Coldfield CID, said: “This is both an upsetting and worrying incident where these men have conned their way into the home of a frail woman, having little regard for her wellbeing.

“They left her alone and lying on the floor, not knowing the extent of her injuries or distress.

“Thankfully, this appears to be an isolated incident, and is relatively rare.

“However, we remind people who receive an unexpected caller at their door to check for ID and never allow anyone into your property if you are concerned about their authenticity.

“Genuine callers will always be happy to wait.”

Both the men are described as white, with local accents and one was very slim.