94-year-old sends burglar packing

The burglar was wearing a dark tracksuit (REX/WestEnd61)

A burglar was left empty-handed after being challenged by a 94-year-old woman in the middle of the night.

The elderly victim had been asleep in a chair in the lounge and woke at around 2am to find the man searching the room.

She bravely challenged the intruder and he left the house in St Mary's Road, Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devon, without taking anything.

Devon and Cornwall Police are now trying to trace the burglar who is described as white, aged around 30, more than 6ft tall and of large build.

He was wearing a dark tracksuit with coloured trims around the collar.

Police said that at around 6pm on March 28, a man was seen acting suspiciously, trying to open car doors and walking up driveways in the area, and this could be linked to the offence.

Detective Constable David Piper said: “This was a brazen burglary attempted while the elderly resident was at home.

“She showed tremendous courage by challenging him and he has left the house without anything as a result.

“We are asking for anyone who has any information about the offence or anyone who recognises the description of the man, to come forward and contact police.”

PA