Spectacle thieves will serve a combined 21 months in jail after being caught in the act by a security guard in Maidstone.

Linda Hurry, of Errol Street in London, was arrested in the Boots store on King Street on Thursday, August 29 last year.

The 59-year-old has now begun a nine month prison sentence.

Accomplice Peter Young, formerly of Finsbury Park in London, was later arrested at his home.

The 69-year-old will serve one year.

They appeared together for sentence at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday.

In total Young and Hurry stole glasses worth a combined £15,000.

Initially released on bail they police swooped on them for a second time when more offences came to light.

Young was arrested but Linda Hurry remained outstanding until Friday, September 20 when she was detained at Stansted Airport.

Hurry had left the country on holiday, which breached her bail, and was also wanted by Essex Police in connection with the theft of some sunglasses from the departure lounge at the airport.

Both suspects were charged with six counts of theft and remanded in custody.

DC Tom Daveney from Kent Police said: “Young and Hurry certainly didn’t look like the stereotypical shoplifter but they were very successful up to a point, and stole thousands of pounds of goods.

“Their images were circulated and received national media interest, and it was only a matter of time before they were caught in the act, which occurred in Maidstone after good work from a local security guard.

“They had travelled about the south east, committing offences in Southend and Hertford too, but we linked them to the offences via CCTV and the movements of the car they travelled in.

“Anyone who commits crime runs the risk of a prison sentence, and that is exactly what Hurry and Young will now have to serve.”