AS George Sharpe was being comforted by his family after becoming the victim of a bogus caller, he couldn't believe how stupid he had been.

The frail pensioner felt ashamed and embarrassed that he had been duped for a second time in less than a year.

This time, a conman claiming to be from the council had talked his way into Mr Sharpe's County Durham home and taken £200 from his sideboard.

His sister-in-law and nephew rushed to be at his side, and made a cup of tea while the police questioned their 82-year-old relative about the suspect.

But in less than three hours, widower Mr Sharpe was dead. He had suffered a heart attack.

Sister-in-law Sue Hutchinson, a retired social worker, said: "What that man did robbed George of his life."

Eleven months before January's tragic events, Mr Sharpe had £2,000 stolen by a man who claimed to be a water company official.

As a result, Mr Sharpe, who was virtually housebound and suffered from angina, became much more security conscious.

He refused to open the door of his home in Haswell, near Peterlee, to anyone he didn't know.

But on January 8, as he sat in the kitchen at about 5pm, there was a loud banging on the window and a man outside looking concerned.

Mr Sharpe thought there must be a problem and opened his door to the man.

The caller claimed he was from the council and needed to talk to the pensioner about insulation for the two-bedroom house. He moved from room to room and Mr Sharpe, who walked with the aid of two sticks, was unable to keep up.

After he left, Mr Sharpe noticed a drawer in the living room was open and £200 was missing.

His nephew, Laurence Hopkins, said: "He always kept the front door locked after the first time, and we told him that whoever comes to the door, he shouldn't let them in.

"It killed him the second time. He just could not believe it had happened again."

Mrs Hutchinson, 73, said: "His wife, Gladys, died nearly five years ago and he found it difficult to cope. He hardly ever went out and he was just getting over the anniversary of Gladys's death when he was burgled the first time.

"He was much more careful about opening doors, but these men are very clever and can just persuade you to open up."

After the theft, Mr Sharpe called the warden service and then his sister-in-law and nephew.

"He was in such a state," said Mr Hopkins. "Sue made a cup of tea and we tried to joke a bit and cheer him up, but he was getting upset and saying, 'I feel so stupid'.

"He blamed himself for letting it happen again and kept saying 'I know he shouldn't have got in'.

"Then it was too late."

Mr Hopkins added: "He is a big miss to everyone. Everyone in Haswell knew him and he was well-liked. Two of the pubs had collections for him, even though he didn't go in.

"Our hope is that one day the man who did this will be caught. If anyone knows anything, we would just ask them to come forward."

Mrs Hutchinson said: "The police still feel they will catch this man and I hope they do, because he won't stop doing what he does until he is caught."