A PENSIONER was forced to hand over cash to get a thieving conman out of her York home.

Sylvia Thompson’s fear of being attacked led to her giving the unwanted caller £20 when he peered into her ground floor flat and asked for change.

Mrs Thompson, 66, has now sent a warning to other residents not to be intimidated by the man, who managed to make his way through the communal entrance to the complex she lives in before pushing his way into her property.

The thief struck at about 8.50pm on Thursday in Gascoigne Walk, off Nunnery Lane.

He confronted Mrs Thompson, who had seen him looking through her window moments earlier, by asking if she could change a £20 note.

“I gave him two £5 notes and a £10 note, but I did not ask him for the £20 back,” she said.

“I didn’t know what he would do. I was scared he would knock me about.”

Mrs Thompson described the man as being in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5ft 9ins tall, with short light brown hair, wearing khaki-coloured trousers and a striped hooded sweatshirt.

She said he rode off on his bike after pocketing her money.

“I just want my money back and for him to be caught so he does not do this to anybody else,” she said.

Neighbour Michael Morgan, 52, who lives in the flat above Mrs Thompson, said he heard banging on the downstairs window at about 8.50pm.

“I was making a cup of tea when I heard loud knocking,” he said.

“Before this, I had noticed a man looking suspicious riding a bike around the area.”

Mr Morgan made his way downstairs and saw the man leave the flat. He then called police and stayed with Mrs Thompson until they arrived.

“She seemed very frightened because she is quite vulnerable,” he said.

Anyone with any information about the con or who believes they have been one of the man’s victims should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.