Neighbours of a Ross pensioner were shocked to discover that a burglar had stolen from his home and then confronted him with a knife.

A man has been charged with a burglary in Ross-on-Wye, where a vulnerable pensioner was confronted by an intruder with a knife, as well as a second burglary in Gloucestershire.

The burglary happened at about 2.30am on Tuesday 15 April in Three Crosses Road.

The victim was asleep downstairs when he was confronted by a burglar armed with a knife and demanding money. He handed over around £60 in cash.

Gareth Robins, aged 35 of Wall House Road, Ross, was arrested and charged on Saturday, April 19th with aggravated burglary.

He was also charged with a burglary in Newent, where a house in West View was broken into on Wednesday, April 16th and electrical items, cash and a wristwatch were among items stolen.

He appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court yesterday where he was bailed to appear at Worcester Crown Court on August 11th.

Detective Sergeant Mark Morton of Hereford CID said: "Crimes like this are fortunately rare but targeting an elderly and vulnerable man in his own home is truly despicable. It has left him shocked and although he wasn't actually attacked he did suffer a minor cut to his hand during the incident.

The Ross Gazette reported the news of the burglary on our website and Facebook page when Police released details last week. Readers of the Gazette expressed their disgust at the news.

Vikki Tingle said: "This is awful I live on this road, what is the world coming to!!"

Nicky Walters said: "Just disgusting. How low will some people go for a bit of money." Donna Langdown-Stevens said: "This is absolutely awful, makes you feel unsafe in your own home!"

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team are conducting targeted patrols in the area to provide reassurance and house to house inquiries have also been carried out.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call detectives at Hereford Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting the incident reference 95–S-150414. Crimestoppers can be reached on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org">www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.