A woman who "heartlessly" tricked her way into the home of a Gillingham pensioner and stole £300 was jailed for more than five years on Friday.

Yvonne Cheek, who was not in court following an earlier angry outburst in which she hurled foul-mouthed abuse at the judge, deliberately targetted the 84-year-old when she returned to her home less than a year later and this time stole her handbag.

Cheek, 52, of Victoria Road, Gillingham, was also jailed for a street robbery in which she kicked away the victim's crutch.

Sentencing her to a total of 64 months for theft, robbery and burglary, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said he had "absolutely no doubt" that Cheek poses a significant risk of committing further serious and violent offences.

He added that Cheek also presents a particular risk to her own mother, whom she has previously attempted to choke.

"Her attitude to her mother may be indicative to her attitude to elederly people in general," the judge concluded.

"She is plainly a very serious threat to her mother, and may well be a threat to future robbery victims of serious harm since she shows an utter disregard to safety and it may be a matter of chance that it has so far not had more serious consequences."

Judge Macdonald ordered that upon her release Cheek will be subject to an extended four-year licence period.

He also ruled that before starting her 64-month jail term she must first serve 21 days "in full" for contempt of court, and a further 60 days, also in full, following the activation of a suspended sentence imposed in April for offences including having a bladed article.

The contempt of court offence related to the insults Cheek hurled at the same judge during an earlier hearing.

Cheek, who is in a wheelchair, first appeared at the crown court via TV link with Holloway Prison in November. Her case was adjourned after she repeatedly abused Judge Macdonald, calling him a "four-eyed ****".

After being told she faced a consecutive term of custody for contempt Cheek maintained she would not apologise "to s***" and told the judge to "clear off".

At today's hearing, during which the link with Holloway Prison was cut off when Cheek was again disruptive, Judge Macdonald said he could not overlook her abuse as part of "the cut and thrust of life".

Cheek had admitted theft, burglary and robbery and asked for five further minor offences to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that in October last year Cheek appeared to be in distress when she called at the home of Joyce Terry.

She claimed she had been forced out of her home following a row and the locks had been changed. Cheek persuaded Miss Terry to lend her £100 for a locksmith, but then helped herself to a further £200 when Miss Terry was out of the room.

Cheek returned to the pensioner's home in June when she was said to again con her way in. On this occasion Cheek stole Miss Terry's handbag and contents, including a purse and £10. Judge Macdonald said she had behaved "heartlessly".

The court heard the street robbery had occurred the previous day. Keith Meredith had been to a car boot sale and was carrying a bag full of change as he walked with the aid of a crutch.

Cheek began to talk to him but then started to demand money. She pulled the bag, which tore causing the money to fall out. At this point Mr Meredith began to loose his balance and Cheek kicked away his crutch, causing him to fall to the ground.

Judge Macdonald sentenced Cheek to 64 months for robbery, and eight months and 32 months concurrent for theft and burglary respectively.

She has already served 163 days on remand.