Callous thief cons pensioner

CCTV image of the callous theif involved in the scooter scam

A callous thief tricked a pensioner into giving him more than £1,500 for a mobility scooter that never existed.

The conman pretended he was selling her the scooter and twice fooled her into going to a bank to withdraw cash, which he pocketed and has not been seen or heard from since.

He first called at the 87-year-old woman's home in the Castleton area on Wednesday 14 April 2010 and persuaded the vulnerable pensioner to buy a mobility scooter from him.

The thief took her in his car to the Santander bank on Yorkshire Street in Rochdale town centre and she withdrew £500 from her bank. She also ordered a further £1,100 for a future withdrawal. Two days later, he returned to her home, took her back to the bank and collected the £1,100 she had ordered.

He promised the scooter would be delivered, but when it failed to arrive she told her carer who called police.

CCTV stills of the thief entering the bank on the two dates have now been released and police are appealing to anyone who recognises this man to come forward.

He is described as white, spoke with a Lancashire accent and also has what appears to be a distinctive mark / tattoo on his neck.

Detective Constable Charlotte Humphreys, of Rochdale CID, said: "This callous thief came up with a well-orchestrated and devious plan to con a vulnerable pensioner out of quite a large sum of money.

"He should be thoroughly ashamed of himself and I'm sure people reading this will be utterly appalled.

"We need to catch this man because clearly he has no scruples and we do not want anyone else to fall victim to his scheme.

Anybody with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8745 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.