Two teenage mothers who posed as charity collectors to trick their way into an elderly woman’s home and commit a distraction burglary have each been jailed for 18 months.

Romanians Lacramioara Stan, 18, and Manuella Paun, 19, claimed they were collecting for a charity involving children with hearing problems.

They went to the 85-year-old victim’s home in Sussex Road, Maidstone, on January 26 and showed her a clipboard.

While there, Paun asked to use the toilet. She went upstairs while Stan asked for a cup of tea.

The pensioner heard a noise upstairs and saw Paun come out of her bedroom. She went downstairs and both of them asked for a drink of water and questioned the victim about her home and whether she lived alone.

After they left, the pensioner was upset and concerned she had been tricked.

She then discovered jewellery, including a silver chain given to her by her late husband as a 25th wedding anniversary present, was missing.

“It had huge sentimental value,” prosecutor Antony Hook told Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday. “A vulnerable victim was targeted.”

A pendant with a cameo picture on it, which was also an anniversary present, was also taken, along with a gold chain.

Mr Hook said Stan called on and man and a woman with a clipboard and persuaded them to each hand over £5.

A police officer nearby was alerted and the pair were arrested in Plains Avenue. Only the pendant was recovered.

Stan and Paun, both of Toronto Road, Gillingham, admitted burglary. Stan also admitted two fraud offences.

The court heard Stan, who has lived in the UK for seven months, had an eight-month-old son and is four months pregnant. Paun, who moved to England in 2013 and has children, is 20 weeks pregnant.

Stan told a probation officer she met a girl in Gillingham who gave her a piece of paper which would help her to beg and told her she would not get into trouble.

“She tells me she thought she was begging and didn’t really grasp what she was doing was wrong,” said the probation officer. “She said maybe the devil did something to Miss Paun when taking the jewellery.”

Stan’s partner and grandmother were looking after the child. She was receiving £200 a month in child benefit. Paun told the officer she took the jewellery because she saw it and liked it.

Sara Haroon, for Paun, said the teenager had reflected on her behaviour since going into custody on January 27 and it had a salutary effect.

“Her actions have impacted hugely on her family,” said Miss Haroon. “She has a partner who works. Her baby is due in July. She is very settled in the UK. She is immature and had no idea of the far-reaching consequences of her actions.”

Passing sentence, Judge Adele Williams said: “This case is far too serious to be dealt with in any other way than the imposition of an immediate sentence of custody.

“This was rightly described as a mean, unpleasant and ugly offence against an old lady, and it would be obvious to both of you when she answered the door she was an old lady.

“The victim was targeted. I have taken into account your age and that each of you has certain vulnerabilities. Each of you is expecting a baby.”

After sentencing, Chief Insp Mick Gardner said: "These women tricked their way into a pensioner's house while pretending to be collecting for charity.

"Once the victim realised what had happened, the quick response from my officers ensured the offenders were arrested soon after they left the premises and stolen property was recovered.

"The women should be thoroughly ashamed of their actions and should consider reforming their ways when they are released from prison."