A Bradford pensioner recovering at home after a hip replacement had his savings

of more than £400 stolen by

a woman he befriended in hospital.

Albert Bland, 67, is today struggling to pay his bills after Carol Turpin rifled through his belongings and made off with his savings.

And a disillusioned Mr Bland has urged people: "Be very careful who you let into your homes."

He said: "I was on top of the world after the operation. It was like a new lease of life after being almost bedridden for 12 months.

"And when I found I was going home I was elated."

Mr Bland, who is divorced, said he met 35-year-old Turpin in the dayroom at Bradford Royal Infirmary while she was in hospital for treatment for a broken ankle.

"We just got talking and she said she would come and see me because I am on my own and my relatives don't live in Bradford," said Mr Bland.

"I didn't think a young woman would do something like this.

"She came to my house, I went into the kitchen and she took the money

"From being on a real high I was suddenly dropped to a low."

Last week, Turpin, of Reevy Road West, Buttershaw, Bradford, was jailed for 14 days for stealing £460. She had pleaded guilty to the offence.

Mr Bland said: "I didn't want to see her punished. I just wanted my money back."

His advice to anyone now is to keep their cash in the bank.

"That money had been saved up to pay for my bills. It's going to be a real struggle to pay them now."

Inspector Paul Jeffrey, of Odsal police, said: "Some tricksters will go to the most elaborate lengths and will target the most vulnerable people.

"No one should be let into your house unless you are 100 per cent certain they are genuine."

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