POSING as plumbers, three men tricked their way into the sheltered accommodation homes of the elderly and vulnerable to fix supposed water leaks.

Instead, they plundered jewellery and money from their victims - one of them a 93 year old woman - in a series of distraction thefts.

The widow, who had rings worth about £2,000 stolen from underneath her bed at her flat in Freemantle, Southampton, says the experience has left her feeling unable to cope.

Widow Joyce Perkess lost wedding rings she wore after her husband's death, an antique ring passed down by her mother and items left in her safekeeping while her daughter moved house.

S o u t h a m p t o n Crown Court heard how serial offender John Stokes, pictured, and two older accomplices targeted two homes the same evening.

Prosecutor Richard Withey said Mrs Perkess discovered her bed had been disturbed and realised valuables she kept underneath were missing.

After the burglary, she had to be treated in hospital three times because of high blood pressure.

"I was born and lived through a different era than the world now and I feel I am now not made to cope with the world as it is today," said Mrs Perkess in an impact statement to the court.

"I do not live in fear in my home. I believe this is because I lived through the war and that was experiencing real fear.

"I lostmy husband in the SecondWorld War. I am upset some of my daughter's jewellery was stolen from my home."

Mrs Perkess said that she had reviewed security measures with the police.

"Being elderly my brain is not as fast in its thinking process as it used to be and it is hard to explain this when I am considering home security and being alert to unknown callers.

"At my age all I can do is hope to get through the day."

Mr Withey said the conmen targeted the Chandler's Ford home of Archibald Poil and his 85-year-old wife, Patricia.

After they left, she called her daughter who became suspicious after noticing furniture had been moved, and two wallets, containing £30 in cash, a credit card and personal papers were missing.

In a statement made on their behalf, Yvonne Roberts said her parents fretted about the burglary and her mother was upset she had let them in.

"Both my parents were shocked by what had happened. My parents have found the police inquiry into the matter quite stressful.

"Both are elderly and frail and having to make statements and carry out the identification parade has been a great strain."

Stokes, 21, from Tottenham, London, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and asked for nine other offences to be considered.

Said to have four previous convictions for distraction burglaries, he was jailed for four years.

Recorder Harry Martineau told him: "You played on their trust and their good nature which you abused. They deserved better.

"You are a habitual burglar, you have been to a young offenders' institution but that has failed to change your ways."

In mitigation, Toby Long said Stokes had been pressured by two members of his extended family and had been too weak to say no.