A BURGLAR sneaked into a pensioner’s bedroom and stole her jewellery box from next to her bed as she slept.

The thief then took the case in to the 73-year-old’s spare bedroom and emptied it on the bed.

The terrified pensioner awoke to hear the crook’s footsteps creeping across the landing of her home in Bridleway, Billericay.

She screamed out and the burglar fled.

The victim was not able to get a full description of the thief, but she does not believe he got away with any of her jewellery.

The burglary happened at about 11.10pm on Sunday, May 18.

Detectives have examined the property and believe he broke in to the house through the conservatory window.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We have had a few burglaries in this road in recent years. It is worrying and it’s awful to hear it has happened to someone in your street.

“The police have been round to let us know there was a break-in so we are just being a bit more cautious with security.”

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101.