A MALVERN pensioner was awarded £120 by the West Mercia Police community fund after she fell victim to a distraction burglar.

Dawn Allen, aged 84, had £120 stolen from her home in Sherrards Green Road on October 22 last year.

She was in her garden when she was approached by a man asking her if she wanted her hedge cut.

When she declined the offer, the man then asked if she had any money so he could catch a bus. Again, Mrs Allen politely refused and he asked if he could use her toilet. Mrs Allen agreed and he went into the house while she stayed in the garden.

As Mrs Allen uses a walking frame, it took her a little time to get to the door as the man was leaving.

Once she was back inside the house, she realised that the money had gone from her purse.

Mrs Allen said: “I felt shattered when the money was taken – to think I was nice to him and he took advantage.

I don’t trust anyone now. I’ve learned the hard way.”

But she added: “I’m delighted to receive the cheque. It was a lot of money for me to replace.”

The community fund is a registered charity which aims to help victims of crime to alleviate the trauma and stress caused by financial hardship as a result of the crime.

The man is described as white, in his late 20s, 5ft 8ins tall, with short dark hair. At the time of the incident he was carrying what looked like a branch but was the same size as a walking stick.

A man was arrested in connection with the burglary but no further action was taken against him due to insufficient evidence.