A COUPLE and a schoolboy accused of targeting lone women victims to steal purses and handbags in Burnley appeared before the town's magistrates.

Stevan Jovanovic, 35, and Sanela Osmanovic, 21, both of Travis Street, are each charged with six counts of conspiracy to steal between December 13 and Christmas Eve, last year. A 13-year-old Burnley boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of three allegations of conspiracy to steal on December 13, 19 and 20.

Jovanovic, who is also charged with house burglary, and Osmanovic, who also faces an allegation of criminal damage, were both remanded in custody to attend a hearing at Burnley Crown Court on February 13. The 13-year-old was given bail.