A woman who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from Lancashire housewives involving 'voodoo' rituals has been jailed for three years.

Nada Ramic told two victims there was a curse on them. To another she said black magic would re-unite her with her husband.

As a result she stole around £3,350 worth of property from women in Accrington, Blackburn and Nelson while carrying out the bogus ceremonies.

The 42-year-old mum had pleaded guilty to three charges of theft with another taken into consideration. She came to this country four years ago as a result of the Balkans civil war.

The first of the offences arose in July last year when Ramic called at a home in Mansfield Crescent, Brierfield. She was holding two religious frames, asking the housewife if she wanted to buy items of the Muslim faith.

The defendant appeared very convincing as she was able to give personal details about the woman's family background -- including the fact that she was separated from her husband.

Mr John O'Shea, prosecuting, said Ramic mentioned she could perform black magic to get the husband to return. Once invited in, the defendant persuaded the woman to place some gold bangles inside a scarf.

Ramic performed a "magic prayer" and told her victim to go upstairs to pray. When the scarf was later checked about £1,500 worth of jewellery was missing and instead it contained just coins.

In March this year the defendant struck at a home in Chester Street, Accrington. She claimed to be selling religious books and told the woman living there someone had placed a black magic spell on her and that she could remove it.

The housewife was instructed to lay a scarf on a coffee table and place her gold jewellery totalling around £2,000 in it. The defendant waved a hand over the items and said something the occupant did not understand. At one stage the victim left the room to get another scarf.

Before Ramic left she warned the woman not to open the tied-up scarf for 15 minutes, otherwise the spell would return. When opened, it contained only plastic jewellery and coins.

Five days later Ramic struck at another home. She was able to give very personal details about the life of the female occupant. She said black magic and a curse had been placed on the family.

Jewellery was placed in a covering from the settee. Ramic chanted and the occupant was told to get some holy water. The defendant sprinkled holy water around the house and chanted.

Before leaving she said the parcel should not be opened until 10 minutes after she had gone, added Mr O'Shea.

The defendant of Storey Lane, Birmingham, was arrested on Barbara Castle Way, Blackburn. She made blank denials when interviewed at length by police.

Neil Addison, defending, said Ramic experienced the Bosnian civil war where even police officers took part in massacres in a negation of law and order.

Mr Addison told the court: "She lived in the Midlands, but was provided with detailed information about people and their backgrounds.

"She knows that when released she and her son will have to return to Bosnia to try and pick up the strands of their life."

Judge Stuart Baker said: "The pre-sentence report leads me to think you have no real understanding of the effect of your behaviour on your victims and no genuine remorse for what you have done, rather than you feel sorry for yourself."