A WOMAN who sneaked into a sheltered housing unit and stole small amounts of cash from elderly residents has been jailed for ten months.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on the first occasion Lilly May Smith, 35, slipped into the accommodation while relatives were visiting and on the second gained entry through a fire escape.

Her first victim was an 89-year-old lady and the second was a 93-year-old who was very upset and distressed by the incident.

And the court was told the offences were committed while Smith was subject to a deferred sentence for stealing a purse from a confused, 76-year-old lady who was asking for directions.

Smith, of Skye Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Gleneagles sheltered housing complex, Shadsworth, and asked for a similar offence to be taken into consideration. She had previously been convicted after trial of the purse theft. She was sentenced to a total of 10 months in prison.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said that after sneaking into the Gleneagles sheltered accommodation unit on August 30 Smith had engaged the 89-year-old lady in conversation in the dining room. The lady went to her own room to make a cup of tea and when she returned found Smith had gone, along with £12 from her handbag.

On September 13, Smith entered the complex through a fire escape and made her way to the room of a 93-year-old resident.

The lady was dozing in a chair but woke when Smith entered her room. She calmly asked if the lady would like a cup of tea. She said no but Smith went straight to the sideboard and took some loose change from her purse. She then left, leaving the lady confused and upset.

Police who viewed CCTV footage were able to recognise Smith and spoke to her at her home address, which is just two minutes' walk from the sheltered housing.

The purse theft took place in Canterbury Street and was witnessed by a woman sitting in her car waiting for the traffic lights to change.

Mrs Kehoe said the woman saw Smith talking to the woman who appeared to be unsure of where she was going. As the witness watched Smith removed the elderly lady's purse from her pocket and put it in her own pocket.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Smith had not been convicted of any offence until she was 27.

"Its an all too familiar story of domestic violence, matrimonial separation, nervous breakdown, psychiatric care and then becoming involved in drug misuse," said Mr Blacklidge.

"Since then shoplifting to fund her drug addiction has become the norm and she accepts that as her lot. She also accepts that these were shocking offences."