A PREGNANT woman who used her unborn baby to help her steal from the elderly has been jailed for six years.

Posing as a charity collector, Kayleigh Mitchell knocked on doors of elderly and vulnerable people and used her pregnancy to get herself invited into their homes in the guise of asking for a glass of water, or to sit down.

Southampton Crown Court heard the 25-year-old mother-of-three pretended on occasion that she was working for a cancer charity - carrying a badge and clipboard to trick her victims.

Prosecutor Dawn Hyland said Mitchell targeted elderly women living alone and asked for sponsorship money, sometimes stealing cash and jewellery from their properties.

She pleaded guilty to an indictment of eight burglaries and four frauds, and asked for a further three burglaries and nine frauds to be taken into consideration.

The offences took place in Dorset and Ringwood, in Mitchell's native Southampton and other parts of Hampshire, Sussex and Wiltshire, between January 19 and March 23 this year. Her victims were mostly aged in their 80s, with the oldest aged 94.

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."

All but one of Mitchell's offences were committed while she was on bail, with a condition not to canvass door-to-door.

The court heard statements from the victims, with one telling how she was on anti-depressants, felt nervous in her own home and scared every time the bell rang.

Another victim, 94, stated: "I shall not 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."

In mitigation, Berenice Mulvanny said Mitchell, of Croydon Close, Lordshill, had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was sorry.

The defendant was also ordered to pay £900 criminal court charges.

Following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer DI Steve Deeprose said: "Mitchell was identified through the descriptions that her victims offered and by taking full advantage of all forensic opportunities.

"I welcome the sentence which is a clear message to those that are tempted to commit this type of crime."