An 85-year-old Chelmsford woman disturbed a mumbling would-be burglar as he tried to break into her home.

The man was reaching through the woman's small kitchen window to try to open a larger window.

When he was spotted by the pensioner, he mumbled something about a washing machine and then ran away.

He was described as white, in his mid-20s and about 5ft 5in tall with dark, slightly wavy hair. He was wearing a dark duffel coat and spoke with a slow, local accent.

Det Sgt Pete Redman said: "She is quite a resolute woman, still she was disturbed by it. "It is very disturbing when something like this happens, she is 85 years old and it has shaken her up."

Anyone with information about the incident at Andrews Place, Chelmsford, should contact Det Sgt Redman on 01245 491212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Friday November 30, 2001