A PICKPOCKET has been jailed for 18 months after stealing purses from elderly women shopping in Orpington.

Anne-Marie McDonagh, 39, and her sister Mary McDonagh, 25, both admitted a string of thefts – including one on an 83-year-old woman.

The pair – both of Bekesbourne Tower, Wichling Close, Orpington – would often strike up a conversation with their victims in a supermarket, charity or card shop before nabbing their purses.

They both pleaded guilty to three charges of stealing a purse, one attempted theft and asked for 17 other offences to be taken into consideration at Bromley Magistrates’ Court in January, when Mary was jailed for six months.

Now Anne-Marie was locked up for 18 months at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday.

The pair were arrested during a police operation, launched to tackle a spate of pick-pocket crimes in Orpington shops.

Det Insp Jane Corrigan, of Bromley police, said the convictions “demonstrate our commitment to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice all offenders, especially those who would prey on the more vulnerable members of our community”.