Thief targets 77-year-old widower

A grieving elderly man has been targeted twice by a thief who ripped open condolence cards looking for cash.

The 77-year-old man of Walton Road, Basingstoke, was mourning the loss of his wife when the thefts took place.

On 29 October £180 was taken from an envelope in his porch and on 5 November he discovered condolence cards torn open in the same place.

The man had left his porch open for neighbours to collect eggs from him for many years, police said.

Pc Nick Beech, of Hampshire Constabulary, said it was a "despicable crime".

He added: "On the second occasion the envelopes contained condolence cards that had been sent to him after his wife passed away.

"These were cowardly crimes carried out against a recently widowed pensioner and we are appealing for information to catch the person responsible."