TWO thieves who stole jewellery from an elderly woman have been jailed.

Zeita Voinescu, aged 37, and Leonard Miclescu, aged 43, both of no fixed abode, stole gold bangles and a necklace from the 71-year-old woman as she crossed Brierley Street, Bury, on May 9 this year.

The pair stopped the car they were in and asked the woman for directions before Voinescu grabbed the woman and stole the jewellery.

Voinescu greeted the woman and held up a map to ask prior to the theft taking place.

The woman had come over to assist the pair.

They then fled in the car before it was located being driven along Oldham Road, Ancoats the next day.

Voinescu was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and Miclescu one year and three months in prison after admitting the offence.

They were sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today.

Detective Constable Lucy Cronin, of GMP’s Bury borough, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on an elderly woman that was just going about her daily business.

“Voinescu and Miclescu completely took advantage of the victim’s kind and trusting nature to lure her to their car and it’s unacceptable that she was targeted in this way.

“I am aware that incidents of this nature cause concern in the community and I would urge anyone that has fallen victim to similar crimes to please report it to the police so that we can continue to bring these criminals to justice.

“I hope today’s sentencing serves as a reminder to the public that we have no tolerance for these crimes and will continue to fight against them to keep the community safe.

“I am pleased these two offenders have been held accountable for their actions and are now behind bars.”