Pensioner falls prey to conmen for second time

CONMEN duped a pensioner for a second time when they pretended to be water board officials in Royton.

Last week the 87-year-old man was tricked into handing over £600 cash to fraudster builders who called at his son’s home in Brantwood Close pretending to be relaying a new driveway, and then accompanied him to his own home in Royton to get the money.

But he was deceived again when two men wearing hi-visibility jackets turned up at his home at noon on Monday, saying they needed to turn his water off as there was a problem with a leak next door. The pensioner let them in — one went with him to the kitchen and got all the items out from under the sink, while another ran up to his bedroom and ransacked a wardrobe.

Luckily, this time the men escaped without any cash.

Now his son, Stephen Bridgehouse, is on the warpath warning everyone in Royton to be vigilant.

He said: “It must be the same men as last time as while one went into the kitchen with him to look at the sink, another ran upstairs and ransacked the bedroom.

“He went straight to the spot where someone watched him count out the money last time — so someone clearly told him where to look for it.”

Stephen said: “My dad is so upset now.

“It’s disgusting what these men are doing and everyone in Royton should be mindful that these men will try anything to get into homes.”

They are described as being 5ft 4ins and 5ft 8ins, both skinny and dark haired.

Oldham CID confirmed it is investigating both incidents.