Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information about a burglary which took place earlier this year at 83-year-old Betsy Malpass’s home in Dudley.

Four intruders tricked their way into the pensioner’s home on Corporation Road, Kate’s Hill at around 3pm on Friday 8 February by pretending to be from a water company. During the ordeal Betsy was forced to sit on a chair while her mobile phone was put under a running tap and her entire life savings were stolen.

It is believed the offenders arrived and left in a black Audi S-Line car. The suspects are all described as white men. One is thought to be in his mid-twenties and around 5ft 10ins tall, with a chubby face. He was wearing a black hat and scarf.

The following weekend Betsy was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of hospital staff and medics she sadly died three days later. Gary Murray, spokesperson for Crimestoppers, said:

“Our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe from crime, whether it’s in the workplace, on the street or in your own home. This burglary ended with terrible consequences after a wonderful older lady died. She had suffered a horrendous ordeal in her own home, where she had lived independently.

"Her last days were dominated by the stress of this robbery and the loss of all of her life savings. Footage captured by CCTV shows cars that were in the area at the time. These people may have witnessed something significant and we are keen that they come forward and tell us what they know.

“If you know who may have been involved in this crime please contact our charity. You could be eligible for a reward of up to £5,000 and everyone who contacts Crimestoppers stays anonymous, always. We’ve kept this promise for over 30 years."

To qualify for the reward, anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers directly - information passed to the Police will not be eligible. 

You can call the charity on 0800 555 111, or submit their online form, which is untraceable and anonymous, at crimestoppers-uk.org. Both services are available 24 hours a day.