Residents told of conman

A DERKER resident is warning people to be aware of a man who is knocking on doors to con money out of people.

Victoria Rodgers, of Fontwell lane, Stoneleigh Park, opened her front door on March 23 to a man who said he was in dire straits.

He told her how he had just finished work as a garden landscaper and upon returning to his home around the corner on Goodwood Drive found his electricity had been shut off and didn't have enough money to put it back on until the next pay day.

As a result he asked Victoria to lend him £10 and assured her he would return it once he was paid. Not having a £10 note to hand she gave him £20 and said 'I want that back'.

Days later, after speaking to her neighbour, Victoria realised the man had used the same excuse to get £10 and it emerged that a third neighbour further down the street had given him another £20.

She went to his home in Goodwood Drive but saw the house was 'derelict' and looked like it had been for some time.

Victoria said: "He was a slender man with a prominent, beaky nose. He was about 5ft 9/10 and had a striped hat which was pulled down above his ears. He spoke with a Manchester accent and said he came from Manchester.

"He said he was a landscaper and when I said that 'I need work doing' we had a conversation about it and he seemed to know what he was talking about so he seemed quite genuine.

"The house he said he lived in was deserted, it was derelict. I don't know if he is still in this area but people need to be made aware of what he is doing."