A PENSIONER was last nightin a critical condition in hospital after he collapsed unconscious three days after he was beaten by a burglar who raided his home.

A PENSIONER was last nightin a critical condition in hospital after he collapsed unconscious three days after he was beaten by a burglar who raided his home.

Police have stepped up the search for the raider who broke into the victim's ground-floor council flat in Nunn's Road, Colchester, and hit the 63-year-old occupant over the head and stole several hundred pounds.

At the time, the pensioner's injuries appeared superficial and he refused hospital treatment, but three days later he was found collapsed and unconscious at his home and was rushed to Colchester General Hospital. Last night his condition was described as "critical but stable".

Det Con Gavin Watson, of Colchester CID, said: "It's an elderly gentleman who was obviously very vulnerable and living alone. Any crime of this nature is distressing to people involved and to their family members.

"It's a despicable crime."

The burglar broke into the man's flat overnight between last Thursday and Friday morning .

He was disturbed by the occupant. It is not known whether he used a weapon to attack the pensioner.

Det Con Watson said: "Our investigations have taken on greater priority following the deterioration in the victim's condition. I would like to hear from anyone who can give me any help in tracing the person responsible for this violent attack."

The detective said the crime is not being treated as attempted murder because it is not yet clear that the man's current state of health is directly related to the attack.

The burglar is described as white, aged 28 to 30, 5ft 9ins tall, thin and clean shaven.

In July last year 90-year-old Thelma Avis died hours after bogus callers called at her home in Barn Hall Avenue, Colchester, and stole £1,000.

The trauma of the deception burglary triggered off Mrs Avis' heart condition.

Three men, two 18-year-olds and one 19-year-old have been arrested in connection with her murder and are due to answer police bail later this month.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen anyone hanging around the Nunn's Road area or seen or heard anything out of the ordinary overnight on Thursday and Friday last week.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.