A YOUNG man took advantage of a simple act of kindness from an 88-year-old disabled widow - to steal her pension savings.

Rosina Whitfield, who has failing sight, agreed to fetch a glass of water for the caller at her Hampshire flat.

The theft left her badly shaken and afraid to be alone - but the retired charity worker vows not to let the incident get the better of her.

Mrs Whitfield, who has suffered two heart attacks and is house-bound through osteo-arthritis, said: "I just wish I could get hold of him and give him a bloody good hiding.

"I think they need the birch brought back because it is all getting quite out of hand."

Mrs Whitfield, who has two children and five grandchildren, was shocked but unhurt in the incident at her Southampton home on Sunday.

The pensioner, who worked for Southampton's Bonhomie United Charity Society until six years ago, answered the door around noon to find a man asking her to change a £20 note.

"He was a young lad aged about 20. I couldn't tell his age exactly because I am losing my sight," said Mrs Whitfield, who lives off Mansel Road East in Millbrook.

"I said I didn't have any but he asked for a glass of water and just followed me inside uninvited."

The man, who claimed to have sold Mrs Whitfield a Christmas basket several years ago, was given a drink but once in the living room again pressed her for change.

As she reached for some money, he snatched her pension book holder containing a care card and £180, which she had been saving for new curtains.

The thief, described as slim with dark hair and wearing a black cap, made off with two other men in a bottle green car believed to be a D-reg Vauxhall Astra.

Pc Richard Aston, of Shirley police, said: "The lady was very shaken up and was unable to stay in her own home because of what happened.

"We are keen to talk to anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have been sold things over the Christmas period by anyone of this description."

Anyone with information should call Shirley CID on 01703 335444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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