A MASKED man entered a terrified pensioner's home brandishing a knife - but told her it was for an internet prank.

However, the 74-year-old woman was left shaken but unharmed after she was confronted by the man in the hallway of her Hartlepool home.

She was in her kitchen at about 6pm on Friday when the man, dressed in black with a mask, confronted her and pulled out a large kitchen-style knife, holding it towards her.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: " The lady then shouted out for help and the suspect told her not to shout out and that it was only a prank to scare people “like you can see on the internet”.

"The man left her address and ran off towards the King Oswy Shops. Officers conducted an area search but unfortunately could not locate the suspect."

He was wearing a black jacket, black trousers and shoes and a grey and black camouflage hood or balaclava/mask covering his face.

  • Anyone with information about the person responsible is asked to contact DC Holly Angus via the 101 number quoting Event 223494.