A fraudster withdrew nearly £2,000 from an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s bank account in a 13-day spree.

Police released CCTV images of the suspect who targeted the 78-year-old woman’s current account, withdrawing the cash from ATMs around Braintree.

The culprit was caught on camera at the Texaco petrol station in Rayne Road where he withdrew a wad of money.

The vulnerable widow’s neighbour of 30 years, who has power of attorney, spotted the cash had gone missing every other day and reported it to the police on February 26.

The first amount of £31 left her account on February 9 and this increased to withdrawals of £251 each time.

In total, the thief took £1,763 from seven different cash points.

Polcie are hoping to bring the man to justice.

The 60-year-old neighbour, from Rayne, said the woman gets distressed every time he reminds her what has happened.

He said: "These people have no human decency.

"They target people who have worked all their lives and just fleece them.

"She has forgotten about it now but she gets upset every time I have to tell her about it."

If you can identify the person in the stills please contact PC 73298 Marsay.