A Hampton woman was sentenced to five years behind bars after conning her way into elderly people’s homes and stealing their valuables.

Eileen Doyle, 23, of Bishops Grove caravan site, Hampton, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing alongside Martin Wickens, 21, from Hemel Hempstead, on Friday, May 30.

The pair conned their way into victims’ homes by saying they needed sugar or had accidentally thrown a ball into their back garden.

Once in, one would keep the victim busy while the other searched rooms for money and valuables, such as jewellery and phones.

Wickens and Doyle targeted people aged between 74 and 94, living in and around London, including in Teddington.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Hannah Woolford of Hillingdon Crime Squad, said: “Wickens and Doyle have done more than commit a crime.

“By trickery, they lied their way into the homes of the most vulnerable members of society.

“They have made the victims feel unsafe and deceived.

“One of the victims was left so traumatised she has since had difficulty staying in the house that she has happily lived in for 50 years.

“I implore family members to warn their elderly relatives of such deceptions and remind residents not let people they don't know into their homes; no matter how convincing they appear to be.

“If in doubt, keep them out, and notify the police.”

Both had been released from prison in September following a four-year sentence for a series of distraction burglaries but began their new campaign just days later.

Detectives traced the pair to an address in Luton, where they were later arrested on December 3, 2013.

On April 24, Doyle pleaded guilty to eight counts of burglary.

Wickens pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and 10 counts of burglary.

Wickens also asked for 10 other residential burglaries to be taken into account and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.