POLICE are investigating three similar cases of a man stealing cash from old people in Middlesbrough.

The thefts happened between Thursday, April 17 and Saturday, April 19 at addresses on Dalcross Court in Hemlington, Ravendale Road in Middlesbrough and Park Avenue in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

A chubby man in his 20s, knocked on the door at the three addresses and offered to sell the elderly people cigarettes and whisky. When they produced their money, the man took and ran off. He then took their money, about £750 in total, and ran off. Anyone with information is asked to call DC Paul Whitehouse on the non-emergency number 101.

CASH HIKE: An eight-mile walk has been organised to raise money for The Mary Thompson Fund which supports refugees on Teesside. The walk will start from Carlton Bank, near Middlesbrough on Saturday, June 7. Call 07910218622 for more information.

COFFEE TIME: A Coffee Morning, plus cake stall and raffle, will be held at St Paul’s Newtown Church, Bishopton Road, Stockton, on Saturday, April, 26, 10am to 12 noon, in aid of The Children’s Society. All are welcome.

WOMAN ASSAULTED: Police are appealing for witnesses to the alleged assault of a 23-year-old woman at about 2am on Monday, April 21. Police believe there was an argument between a man and the woman outside Spensley’s Bar in Middlesbrough. The woman was left with cuts. An 18-year-old man has been charged with assault. Witnesses should contact DC Dan Heron on the non-emergency 101 number

UNICORN CENTRE: A centre for disabled horse-riders, The Unicorn Centre, has been selected to host a new style of dressage competition at its base at Hemlington, near Middlesbrough. The competition, called Team Quest, enables able-bodied and/or disabled riders to compete in a range of dressage classes in teams of three or four. The first Team Quest competitions will be held at the Unicorn Centre on Sunday, June 1 and the last on Sunday, September 7. Find out more at http://www.rdaunicorncentre.co.uk/competitions.html or by calling the Unicorn Centre on 01642 576222.

DELIBERATE FIRE: A wheely bin was pushed to a back door of a house and set on fire in Brotton, east Cleveland at about 10am on Monday, April 21. The fire took hold and caused severe damage to the back of the property on Jackson Street. The house was empty and no-one was injured in nearby houses. Anyone with information should call police on 101.