A DRUG addict who targeted an elderly couple to steal money from their home has been jailed for two years.

Lisa Stephens, of Market End Way in Bicester, ‘modelled handbags’ and ‘removed her jumper’ to distract her victims whilst stealing cash from a purse, a court heard.

The 34-year-old appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for the burglary on February 19.

Judge Peter Ross said: “Lisa Stephens in the middle of the afternoon on February 19 you went to an address of an elderly couple. [The elderly man] is disabled and has quite severe mobility problems. You went there with your sister.”

He added: “They are elderly and [the wife] was too frightened to ask you to leave due to their age and her husband having limited mobility.

“It was a planned burglary, you made no pretence that you needed money and said you were going to steal meat to sell it on. The intention was always to steal from them, that I am sure.

“They had no news from you since you were little girls, which is what makes this such a mean crime.”

The court heard how Stephens walked round the house, distracting the victims in order to steal.

This included removing a jumper to distract the husband and modelling the female victim’s handbags to take money from.

Mr Ross added: “The immediate effect left the victim crying and physically shaking after realising you had stolen money from the purse in her handbag.”

The court heard of Stephens ‘dreadful record’ of offences, although none including burglary, including many thefts.

Mr Ross said: “You are a long term [drug] addict as your record bears testimony to.”

She was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to take part in a drug rehabilitation scheme. Having spent 158 days in prison on remand, this will be deducted.

She was also ordered to pay compensation to the elderly couple.