Bogus delivery man robs 76-year-old at knifepoint in Leeds house

Retired Trevor Watson was about to sit down for dinner when he answered the door to the man, who threatened him with a carving knife and bundled him into his living room.

A second suspect, wearing a balaclava, then entered the house on the Poole Estate in Crossgates, and tied Mr Watson’s hands together with duct tape.

The men then searched the house and took £600 and 335 euros in holiday money.

Det Inspector Richard Holmes from North East Leeds CID said: “This was a callous and cowardly incident in which two individuals preyed on an elderly man in his own home.

“Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured but these men need to be arrested and I am appealing to the public to help us identify and trace these individuals.

“Earlier in the day the victim had been in the New Inn at Barwick and the Red Lion at Crossgates and it’s possible that someone may have targeted him from that point onwards.

“I would ask anyone who was in those establishments to look at the e-fit and get in touch if you recognise the suspect.

“I would also ask people living in the Poole Estate area to cast their minds back to Monday afternoon and let us know if they saw anyone matching the descriptions in the time prior to the incident at 4.45pm or perhaps immediately afterwards around 5pm.”

The first suspect is described as a white male, 6ft tall, with a thin drawn face, short mousy hair and aged between 40 and 50. He was also carrying a clip board, a small brown cardboard package and wearing a high visibility jacket.

Suspect two is described as a white male, 5ft 8” tall, thin build, who spoke in an Eastern European accent. He is thought to be around 30 years of age and was wearing a balaclava and gloves.

Witnesses are asked to call 0845 6060606.