A 94-YEAR-old Hampshire man died just days after a conman tricked his way into his home and stole £100 of his savings.

Fred Marsh died at a Netley nursing home a week after the theft at his Bursledon home.

Now his grieving son and neighbours believe the shock of what happened led to his death.

Son Neville, 65, said: "If they ever caught the creep who did this they should charge him with murder."

The trusting grandad invited the man into his Oakhill Terrace home after he arrived on his doorstep asking if he could cut his grass.

Although the pensioner declined he did let him in when said he was thirsty and needed a glass of water.

He then asked if he could use the bathroom and while the widower was washing his glass rifled through drawers until he found the cash.

Mr Marsh was due to have a family reunion later this year with relatives from as far afield as Houston, Texas, flying in to celebrate his 95th birthday.

Now they will be gathering for his funeral this Friday instead.

Neville, of Dorchester, Dorset, said: "He lived in Bursledon all his life and he was in the same house for around 50 years.

"I think the shock of what happened killed him. If I found this bloke I can think of plenty of things I could do to him. These creeps who prey on vulnerable old people are incapable of thought."

He said his father had been taken to Abbey House nursing home at Netley on the advice of doctors the day after the theft.

"He died there just over a week later on Wednesday.

"If there's any good that comes out of what has happened it should be to warn old people not to open their doors to these people."

Neighbour John Beaumont, 77, said: "I knew him for about 40 years.

"He was ill anyway recently but in my opinion what happened to him definitely helped him on his way.

"He was a very trusting bloke who would often leave his back door open when I came round to visit."

A Hampshire Police spokesman said Mr Marsh was too ill to give a statement about the theft - the incident had been reported by his daughter, Judith, the following day.

The spokesman added that because of the circumstances and Mr Marsh's age it would be very difficult to prove his death was directly related to his ordeal.

Mr Marsh's funeral is due to be held at Southampton Crematorium.

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