A FRAUDSTER tricked shop staff into giving him a refund for a baby product by claiming his child had died in a car crash.

In fact the callous thief had stolen it from the shelf of the Hampshire store moments earlier.

Staff at the Boots store at The Swan Centre in Eastleigh took pity on the man after he asked for a refund for a breast pump worth £100.

He told them he didn’t have a receipt but explained he no longer needed it as his child had died in a car accident.

Sympathetic staff handed over the cash for the product, that is used by breastfeeding mums, to who they thought was a bereaved father.

But following the incident a staff member noticed one of the pumps was missing from the shelf and a review of CCTV showed the man taking it from the shelf before making his way to the till.

Police have now released these images as part of the investigation into the theft that happened last Thursday at around 10.15am.

Investigating officer PC Kat Smith said: “It is simply unbelievable that anyone would use such a story in order to steal.

The staff obviously took pity on the man and handed over the refund but it wasn’t until afterwards they discovered what had happened.

“They were shocked that anyone would use the death of a child in such tragic circumstances in order to trick them into handing over money.”

Officers believe the man seen in the CCTV image could help them with their inquiries and is urging anyone who recognises him to come forward.

He was described as about 6ft aged in his late 30s or early 40s with short cropped dark hair. He was wearing a black three quarter length jacket, blue jeans and black shoes.

“We would ask anyone who recognises this man or who has any information about the incident to contact me as soon as possible,” added PC Smith.

Anyone who recognises the man pictured or who has any information that could help the inquiry can contact Eastleigh police station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555.