An elderly woman has shared her harrowing experience after a burglar targeted her home in the middle of the night. 

The Weymouth resident, told the Echo how a burglar entered her garage, which is attached to her home, whilst she slept.

The OAP, who doesn't wish to be named, said: "I was getting ready to go to my best friend's funeral in the morning and as I went downstairs, I noticed that the garage light was left on. 

"I have an up and over garage door and noticed that it had been broken into. Someone must have squeezed through the bottom part of the door as it was off its hinge. 

"They had taken a battery charger and lots of food out of the fridge and freezer.

"The door was completely damaged. I phoned the police and they gave me and incident number and told me to phone the insurance company. They sent a man who said I'd need a completely brand new garage door." 

The victim, in her 70s, is disabled and uses a Cabin Car mobility scooter to get around the town. She can no longer access her vehicle as the broken garage door has been forcibly shut to keep it secure. 

She said: "My son-in-law managed to close the door with great force just to secure it so no-one else can get in. 

"I can’t access my Cabin Car now. I can go into the garage through the little side door but can’t open the up and over garage door at all now. I was told by the insurance company it won't be replaced until September 4."

Dorset Police said they received a report of a burglary to the garage of a property in Weymouth which reportedly took place between 11.30pm on Sunday, July 14 and 9.30am on Monday, July 15.

While enquiries into the incident have been carried out, no arrests have been made.

The victim has said she has been left greatly distressed over the incident and feels too scared to leave the house. 

She added: "It has affected me financially and psychologically. My insurance bill went up from £212 to over £400 and I am now sleeping in the back bedroom with the light on in fear of those responsible coming back. It's been awful.

"I am a really outgoing person and it feels like my life has came to a standstill as I'm too scared to do anything. 

"I wanted to share my story as it's been a real ordeal. 

"I want people to know you're not on your own. I was put in touch with Victim Support who were wonderful. It was a real invasion of privacy and people need to know there is support there."