A CRUEL confidence trickster stole cash from a 93-year-old York woman after talking her way into her home by claiming she was a friend.

The young woman thief called at a house in Glen Close, Fulford, and told the pensioner that when they met before the householder had promised her a cup of tea.

Once inside the house she went to a bedroom claiming she needed to brush her hair. When she left the elderly woman found her tan leather purse containing cash was missing.

Sergeant Colin Ventress said the thief was wearing a black coat and hat when she visited yesterday.

Updated: 13:33 Tuesday, May 11, 2004