A FAIR OAK pensioner has fallen prey to a young trickster who claimed that he had lost his cat.

The elderly woman answered the door to a youth who said he had lost his cat and asked for a torch to help look for it. The woman got one and helped look for the feline in her garden but it was not found.

A while later it was discovered that drawers and cupboards in the bedroom had been opened and searched. The back door to the property has also been damaged.

It is believed that the property may have been broken into while the woman was distracted looking for the cat.

Nothing is thought to have been taken from the address near Mortimers Lane.

The youth is described as white, 12-14 years old, 5ft, slight build, round face and fair complexion with short, blond wavy hair Anyone who may have witnessed the incident which took place between 8 and 9pm on Thursday, April 12 is asked to contact Eastleigh CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.