A burly intruder knocked on the door of the Ramsgate home of Summer Kitchen founder Sharon Goodyer and then tried to force his way into the property on Wednesday night (April 24).
Sharon, 68, was at home in the Margate Road property at 11.45pm when there was a knock on the window and then the door.
The mum-of-three, who suffers with Parkinson’s disease, said: “I probably shouldn’t have answered but am used to people knocking at all times of the day and night if they need help with food.
“I answered and this burly man tried to force his way in. It was frightening. He got one foot in and I just found the strength and pushed the door to get him out. He managed to get it back open and then I managed to push it shut again but he was holding the handle so I couldn’t lock it.
“I just had to wait and then as soon as I could I got it locked and dialled 999.”
A police call handler stayed on the phone with Sharon until officers arrived.
She said: “They were brilliant. They went all around the area but he had vanished. They checked I was ok before they left.”
Sharon, who headed up the free Summer holiday meals scheme in Ramsgate and Margate last year, says she was told a man had earlier forced his way into the home of an elderly couple, threatened them and stole from them.
She said: “I think he was an experienced criminal. He was smiling and talking to me in Romanian or Bulgarian the whole time, confident that he was going to get in.
“It has all left me feeling a bit wobbly. I feel that I should be able to answer my door whatever the time but I won’t be doing it again. It was scary.”
Description
Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.
The man is described as being white, around 30 years old, 5ft 10in tall , of large build and with collar length dark hair. He was wearing a yellow top and is said to have had a foreign accent.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222 289 quoting crime reference 46/78254/19.
Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111.
Further details of the crime against the elderly couple have been requested.
