A PENSIONER has spoken of his anger after he was conned by a distraction burglar.

Keith Langfield, 81, said he let a man, posing as an official meter reader, use the upstairs bathroom of his house in the Marsden Park area of Nelson.

The man returned downstairs after around 18 minutes.

The incident happened on May 5 but it was around five weeks ago that Mr Langfield, who is a retired jeweller, noticed that items had gone missing.

Among the items taken were three watches which belonged to Mr Langfield’s deceased brother, a fourth watch, a pendulum from an antique Vienna wall clock and three winding keys.

Mr Langfield, who was subjected to a terrifying ordeal in his home in 2002 when two masked men burned his face and back with an iron, is now warning others about the dangers of leaving people unattended in their home.

He said: “When I realised that all these items had gone missing I was angry and sad. I was surprised that someone who has access to your home would take a chance and do this.

“He seemed such a nice guy. I have never met a more pleasant guy in my life.

“I am so security conscious, especially with what happened to me in 2002. I have locks and bolts on my front door and bedroom door, and an alarm connected to all my doors and windows. Even if I go to the garage I lock the door. This was like a novice beating a seasoned heavy weight champion boxer.

“It’s not just the monetary value of what has been taken. It is the sentimental value as well. I am getting over that now. The main thing is the thought of this man doing it to other old people. Next time he could have their life-savings or their prized possessions.

“I would urge people to think twice about letting anyone go upstairs in your home or leaving them unattended at any point.”

A police spokesman said no-one has been arrested in connection with the burglary.

The spokesman said: “We were called around 1.45pm on September 13 to reports of a burglary in Nelson.

“A man had entered an address on Hallam Road and distracted the victim before taking four watches and a lighter. The offender then made off from the scene.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting crime reference EG1706376.