Thieving Preston cleaners returned to family's home and carried out burglary

Samantha Addison, 47, and co defendant Lisa Power, 40, smashed into their former employers' home on Victoria Parade Preston, on March 11 and helped themselves to £10,800 of their possessions, including a wedding ring and a computer containing thousands of irreplaceable childhood pictures.

They left the scene with bags and suitcases.

The victim received a call from her son while she was at work, telling her the patio door was smashed.

Addison, a mum-of-two from Calder Street, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, could be heard sobbing as she was led down to the cells to begin a two year and three month jail sentence, after admitting burglary.

The court heard the women had appeared "needy" to victim Lynne Sedgwick and her children, and the family had been kind to them.

The duo suddenly stopped turning up for work.

However, they were spotted on the family's driveway two days before the break in.

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell said this showed it had been a "targeted and planned event"

Defending, Beverley Hackett said never been to prison before, was not a danger to the public, and could be rehabilitated.

She told the court Addison's remorse was genuine and sincere.

But the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham said: " The circumstances of this case are extremely troubling.

"The occupier provided them with help and assistance and indeed showed them nothing but kindness.

"Two days before the burglary the two women returned to the house - it's absolutely clear they were scoping it out.

"The victim found them on her driveway and asked what they were doing, and they made up a story.

"The true impact of this burglary will only have become apparent when they realised what had been taken. Items of a high value had been targeted.

"They included a Mac Book Pro, jacket, handbags £1,100 cash, earrings, eternity rings, a wedding ring, i-Pads and other jewellery.

"It would seem the defendants had come equipped because they were seen wheeling the items away in a trolley."

In a victim impact statement Mrs Sedgwick said she found it difficult to understand how these two defendants could have breached their trust in such an extreme way, and said their actions were "unforgivable".

Her daughter said the invasion of her home was the "most traumatic experience of my life", adding she felt violated, vulnerable and frightened to live in her own house.

Judge Altham said he recognised the serious consequences for Addison's children and elderly parents if she were to go to jail, but added: "In my judgement this is a case that has to be met with a sentence of immediate custody.

"This was serious, well planned and carefully executed criminality which has brought long lasting harm to other people, and the court has to send a strong message to the public."

Co-defendant Lisa Power, formerly of Mersey Street, Ashton, was previously jailed for three years for the burglary and other offences.