A FRAIL grandfather of six spent his last hours locked in a stiflingly hot bedroom as thieves made off with his savings, a coroner's court heard.

The death of John Single, who was found 18 months ago in his Woodford Green home, sparked a massive police investigation but the people involved in his death have never been caught.

A reclusive widower who shunned friends, family and outside help, Mr Single was found dead on January 15, 2005, after a postman noticed his front door had been left open all morning.

He contacted police who discovered Mr Single's bruised body collapsed directly behind his bedroom door with a key turned in the lock, imprisoning the emaciated 90-year-old in the room with no means of escape.

It is believed that Mr Single, who lived alone in his Roding Lane South bungalow, had been dead for nearly a day and a half before he was found.

Officers leading the investigation believe rogue traders may have been trying to extract money from the pensioner by forcing him to pay for garden work they began without his permission and fear they could be linked to his death.

Mr Single's house had been cleared of cash, which he was known to have kept in his home.

Speaking at the inquest DS Mark Pickard said police had exhausted all leads in trying to trace men in fluorescent jackets seen digging up Mr Single's pathway and clearing his overgrown garden just days before his death.

DS Mark Pickard told the court: "On the living room table there was a large circular tin. The tin was empty but there was a £20 note on the floor and two pound coins. We employed specialist search officers and they were tasked to find money but they didn't find any money in the premises.

"It appeared the premises had been rifled through and money taken.

"I believe there was money on the premises because he hadn't cashed his pension since September 2004 and he gave the PDSA £100 in cash when they called to collect the body of his dead dog."

Police also found a set of fingerprints in the house that have yet to be identified.

And although the exact cause of Mr Single's death was unclear the pathologist was certain it had been brought on by being locked in the room.

Speaking at the inquest, Dr Ken Shorrock said: "It's got to defy common sense to say that being locked in a room unable to get out didn't hasten his death."

Dr Elizabeth Stearns, the coroner hearing the case at Walthamstow Coroner's Court, recorded an open verdict with the cause of death unascertained. The case of Mr Single's death lays on file with the police.

l Police are still appealing for information concerning Mr Single's death. If you know the men spotted working in his garden please contact DS Mark Pickard on 8345 2675