A manipulative burglar who left a pensioner starving after convincing her to let her into her home and stealing her handbag has been jailed for six years.

Genevieve McCarthy, 42, of Dudley Road, Ilford Essex, persuaded the 76-year-old woman to invite her into her Streatham flat and made them both a cup of tea.

But while the woman was distracted, McCarthy grabbed her handbag- which contained a wad of cash, bank cards and a cheque book- and left.

Police said the woman went hungry “for some time” after the incident in June last year.

McCarthy denied stealing the bag but was convicted and jailed at the Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday (May 23).

Police are appealing for other victims of similar crimes to come forward.

Detective Constable Loy Hartwell said: “This was a despicable crime against a vulnerable member of society. This sentence is absolutely necessary to protect others from falling prey.”