A VICTIM of a distraction burglary who went on to warn others about the crime and its devastating affects has been presented with an award by Wiltshire Chief Constable Dame Elizabeth Neville.

Jean Cox, of Landford, became one of dozens of victims of the crime when she helped a boy who asked for directions as he passed her garden in January 2001.

She was cleaning her car when someone spoke behind her and she turned round to see a boy aged about 13-15.

After helping him, she went back indoors and discovered her handbag had been rifled by his accomplice.

Missing were her engagement ring, given to her by her husband who had died 12 years earlier, her mother's engagement ring and walking stick, two rings left by an aunt, her grandmother's locket and some cash.

Afterwards, Mrs Cox (73) said she was "hopping mad with herself for being taken in".

Her advice was "never trust anyone", which was "a dreadful thing to say", as she had been brought up to help people, she said.

She agreed to talk to the Journal "in the hope that it might help someone else".

Mrs Cox is believed to be the first victim of such a crime in south Wiltshire willing to talk about her ordeal.

She was presented with a chief constable's certificate of appreciation at a ceremony at Wiltshire police headquarters in Devizes last Friday.