Elderly woman appeals for information about burglary which has left her living in fear

An elderly woman whose Westcliff home was burgled last Summer says she continues to live in fear of the burglar returning to her home.



Photo: Kathleen Digby

Kathleen Digby had been asleep in her bungalow on Mendip Crescent on Saturday, August 18, 2012 when she woke to the sound of rustling by her bedside.

The 80-year-old pensioner then discovered a man rifling through her handbag. She shouted at him, forcing him to run off with the handbag which contained £100.

Police are now renewing an appeal for help from members of the public to identify the man shown in the efit. He is believed to have forced open the front door of Kathleen's home.

Mrs Digby said: “I haven’t left my house since this burglary. I have been left terrified of the dark and often think I see him at my bedside during the night.

"I want people to know how much this man has affected my life and my sense of safety. I want people to help the police by giving this man up to them. I never want to see him again but if I did, I would not be able to stop myself from hitting him. He has wrecked my life.

"If you know him, please contact the police. If you are him, you know what you did that night. Turn yourself in.”

Investigating Officer, Dc Samantha Winter, said: “Kathleen has been left devastated by this home intrusion. She was left extremely frightened on the day and is still in shock and recovering from her trauma. This burglar clearly has no qualms about entering properties where people are still inside. He is obviously someone’s son, brother or partner so we would urge people to look closely at his description and contact us with his name. It is difficult to shop someone into the police, but in this case it definitely is the right thing to do.”

The man in the efit is described as white, 5ft 6in, of sim build and in his early 30s. He was smartly dressed in a white shirt and trousers at the time.

Anyone with information in connection with this burglary is urged to contact detectives at Southend police station on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.