A QUICK-thinking pensioner turned detective after discovering that her 92-year-old neighbour was being burgled.

Ryan Ashford and Darren Levesconte were caught red-handed after the woman, who is in her 70s, monitored their movements through her flat’s security spy hole before alerting police.

Ashford, 22, from Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, and Levesconte, 22, from Southwick Road, Bournemouth admitted burglary at a sheltered housing block in Southbourne on February 7 this year.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Jennie Rickman said the Good Samaritan had been watching TV when she heard a noise.

“She saw her door handle move and when she looked through her security spy hole she could see two men in the corridor,” she said.

“One was crouched down at the door opposite. He had his hand on the handle; the other man was standing watching him.

“She phoned the police and the defendants were found in a downstairs toilet.”

A jewellery box and ring were recovered.

Their victim was unaware she had been burgled until police officers asked her to identify the stolen property. Two gold rings were never found.

Defending Levesconte, Robert Grey said the raid had been ‘opportunist’, adding: “He did not deliberately target elderly people and is thoroughly ashamed of himself.”

In Ashford’s defence, the court heard that the crime had been ‘financially motivated’, stemming from money problems and a gambling addiction. He was sickened by his actions.

Recorder Paul Lasok QC described the offence as ‘particularly unpleasant’, adding: ‘your victim was not only elderly but also vulnerable’.

Levesconte, who was serving a suspended prison sentence at the time, was jailed for 25 months. Ashford received a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, and must complete 160 hours’ unpaid work.

Speaking after the case, their victim said she was pleased with the sentences and told the Daily Echo how security at the block had been stepped up following the burglary.

She added: “My neighbour heard them fiddling with my lock and watched them in the act before phoning 999. It was a very smart thing to do.”