A PREGNANT woman used her unborn baby to get into elderly women's homes and steal from them, a court heard.

Kayleigh Mitchell has been jailed after Southampton Crown Court heard how she knocked on doors of residents, the oldest aged 94, and used her pregnancy to get herself invited into people's homes under the guise of asking for a glass of water or to sit down.

The mother-of-three also pretended on occasion to collect for a cancer charity, going as far as having an apparent charity badge and clipboard on one occasion, the court heard.

These crimes were committed in Southampton, Hampshire, Sussex and Dorset and victims were mainly in their 80s, the youngest being 68.

Dawn Hyland, prosecuting, said Mitchell targeted elderly women living alone and approached them asking for sponsorship money, sometimes for cancer charities.

Some women gave money but on occasion Mitchell got into their properties and victims later found money, as much as £300, or jewellery had been taken, she said.

Mitchell, of Croydon Close, Lordshill, Southampton, admitted eight burglaries and four frauds, and asked for a further nine thefts and three burglaries of a similar nature to be taken into consideration - all these took place between January 19 and March 23.

The court heard how all except one of the 12 offences happened when Mitchell had been on bail which stipulated she must not canvass door-to-door.

Ms Hyland said £300 might not be a lot of money but it was when it came from someone's pension.

A number of victim's statements about how Mitchell's actions had affected them were read at the hearing, with one telling how she was on anti-depressants, felt nervous in her own home and scared every time the bell rang.

Another, the court heard, stated: "I can't believe she used this to steal from me, she took advantage of my good nature.

"It has left me more suspicious of people and that makes me sad."

The 94-year-old victim stated: "I shan't be so free with my good will in future.

"I forgive the young female for what she's done, I hope this is a lesson to her.

"I hope she will now change her ways."

Berenice Mulvanny, mitigating, said Mitchell had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was sorry.

In sentencing, judge Nick Rowland said: "What you were doing is using your state of pregnancy to win the confidence and trust of vulnerable elderly ladies.

"You tricked your way into their homes in order to steal.

"You used your pregnancy as a ruse to get in.

"You were a thief and a burglar and a very determined one."

Mitchell was jailed for six years and ordered to pay £900 criminal court charges and a £120 surcharge.