Pensioner shut in stair cupboard by burglar

An elderly man was shut into a cupboard by a burglar who barged his way into his home.

The victim, in his 80s, answered the door to a man asking for money to buy petrol on Sunday afternoon.

The man left after the victim gave him cash, but returned between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday when the burglary took place.

He forced his way into the man’s home in Branch Street, Dover, and shut him into a down- stairs cupboard before fleeing.

The suspect is a white man, aged 20 to 30, around 6ft, with a stocky build and an English accent.

Detective Sergeant Matt Smith said: “This was a nasty incident which left a good samaritan shaken. Fortunately he suffered only minor cuts and bruising.

“We would ask anyone who might have seen something in the area on either day to contact us as it could prove invaluable to our investigation.”