 Callous thugs terrorised and robbed a frail 88-year-old woman of her life savings days after she left hospital following a serious fall. Janie Winter, of Lingdale, who had spent ten weeks in Brotton's East Cleveland Hospital, was in her sitting room when two men smashed through the back door. "I was terrified," she said. "There were two of them - one only about 17 and the other in his 50s." She could only look on helplessly as the younger one ran upstairs and ransacked a bedroom before the other one went upstairs. "They never spoke a word, but they took my pension money and all my savings, at least £2,000. "They didn't touch me or assault me. I just sat in my chair. I was frozen. I was in a state of shock. Then they just left. Fortunately, after a while a neighbour came and called the police." It is the second time the pensioner has been the victim of thieves at her home. The latest raid happened about 2.30pm on Saturday, but Janie is still recovering from her ordeal. Neighbour Jean Bulman said: "This is terrible, You don't expect someone to do something like this in broad daylight. "It is such a mean, callous thing to do and it has really shaken Janie and upset everyone in the village." Some months ago, a man called at her home pretending to be a water board official - but then took £200 from her handbag. Jean's husband Bill said this time, the burglars had forced Janie's back door with a jemmy. Janie said the youth involved was slim, about 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a white jumper pulled over his hands. The older man wore a trilby hat, but took it off to reveal that he was bald on top. He was around 5ft 10ins tall. * Anyone with any information should contact Cleveland Police, in confidence, on 01642 326326. Evening Gazette comment | 
