A BURGLAR pretended to be a policeman to force his way into a pensioner's home, then held the terrified woman captive for half an hour.

The woman, who has lived alone since her sister's death, was initially reluctant to let Lee Grainger into her flat, even though he claimed he was a police officer.

But as soon as she removed the chain and opened the door a few inches, he took the chance to barge inside, knocking her to the ground as he did so.

Yesterday, the 30-year-old was jailed for six years at Teesside Crown Court.

Grainger told her that he wanted her money, saying that he had heard she had £2,000.

She was terrified and told Grainger that she only had some loose change in her purse, which he snatched from her, then demanded a dishcloth to wipe away his fingerprints.

Grainger then pushed her into a chair and he sat opposite her for half an hour mumbling to himself.

Aisha Wadoodi, prosecuting, said Grainger asked her how much money she had in the bank and she replied "very little".

Her terrifying ordeal ended when a neighbour arrived at her door, followed soon after by the police, the court was told. Grainger claimed he had been searching for a man living at her Darlington address who was driving a car which killed his brother years before.

But the police could find no report of the accident.

Grainger, of Melland Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to burgling the house in Dodd Street, Darlington, on July 4.

Graham Gaston, defending, said Grainger expressed remorse and he realised the offence was very serious. He wrote an apology to the woman which he sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Judge David Bryant told Grainger: "This would have been a terrifying experience for a person of any age, far worse for an elderly person who was unlikely to get over it."