A man and a woman who stole an 86-year-old woman’s purse while she was shopping have been sentenced.

Rodney Matthews, 55, and Agnes Stewart, 58, both of Chalk Pit Avenue, Orpington, both received a 20 week suspended prison sentencs at St Albans Crown Court last week, and were each ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work.

The theft happened at South Mimms service station at around 2.50pm on June 13 last year.

The victim was in Waitrose and had bent down to select items from the lower shelf.

After examining CCTV footage, it was discovered that Matthews and Stewart were standing close to the woman and, as she leaned forward, Stewart reached into her bag and removed her purse.

The victim discovered the theft when she went to pay for her items.

The purse was later found discarded on the hard shoulder of the M25, near junction 27. The cards were still inside the purse but £30 in cash had been stolen.

CCTV footage was circulated and Matthews and Stewart were identified, arrested and charged with theft.

PC Paul Francis, from the Potters Bar and Shenley Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the victim whose health has suffered significantly as a result of what happened to her.

“These crimes can have a lasting effect on those who are targeted and we will do all we can to identify and bring offenders to justice. Hopefully this sentence will deter the callous thieves who prey on vulnerable people in Hertfordshire.”