A predatory thief who followed her target home before robbing her has been jailed.

Daniela Niculai snatched a necklace from under her victim’s nose while she was busy unloading shopping from her car outside her residence in Swanley.

The 78-year-old was first targeted by Niculai at around 1pm on April 2 when she went out to a Tesco in Orpington to pick up groceries.

She was parked in a disabled bay when Niculai approached her and tricked her into signing a fake charity document asking for her name and home postcode.

The victim returned home when Niculai reappeared offering to help unload the car.

The victim asked to be left alone but she was ignored instead being told that she needed to be hugged and placed her hands on the back of the target’s neck.

Niculai then walked back to a car and drove from the scene, and the victim then noticed a gold necklace she had been wearing was missing.

Officers quickly identified CCTV images which showed Niculai’s car, and just hours later she was arrested at her home address in Nightingale Road, Edmonton, north London.

The 31-year-old was charged with robbery and pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. Two further offences were taken into consideration by the court.

These also involved thefts from elderly victims and happened outside supermarkets in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

On September 23, Niculai was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars.

Detective Constable Nell Shortis said: “It is extremely rare for elderly victims to be so callously targeted in this manner, however when it does happen the impact can be truly devastating and often causes long-lasting fear and anxiety.

“There can be little doubt that Niculai would have repeated her cowardly actions by targeting and stealing from other vulnerable people within our communities, and I’m thankful that our officers were able to track her down so quickly.

“I hope those affected by Niculai’s crimes will be able to take some reassurance, now she is behind bars and unable to cause further harm.”