AN opportunistic thief who took 'full advantage' of elderly women stole two engagement rings while working as a carpet cleaner, a court heard.

Kevin Hughes, of no fixed abode, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on Monday after admitting theft and burglary offences.

On August 11 last year Hughes, who was employed by Homecare cleaners, attended the home of a retired 61-year-old woman, on Harlyn Gardens in Penketh, with a fellow employee.

A £270 fee was paid for the work.

The court heard the woman left four of her rings on her mantelpiece but later came to find her engagement ring was missing.

Prosecuting, Paul Blasbery, said: "She could not find it but it had never crossed her mind that it had been stolen.

"It was not until January 20 this year that police contacted her.

"The police made enquiries and it was established from a jewellers that the defendant sold the ring on August 17.

"The ring was sold for £350 but the owner could not put a value on the ring."

On October 19 the defendant attended the home of a 79-year-old woman, on Bewsey Road, again while working for Homecare.

She showed him the section of carpet she required cleaning and a £130 fee was agreed for the work.

Mr Blasbery added: "He did not have permission to enter the room.

"She did not have cash in house so took the dog out to go to nearby cash machine.

"He was alone this time.

"She returned and he was cleaning the stairs, he was there for another 45 minutes.

"Three days later when she was due to go out, she opened her jewellery box and discovered five out of six rings were missing, one was an engagement ring, including a diamond cluster, and one belonged to her late sister.

"She was looking everywhere for them."

Hughes had claimed he had 'legitimate access' to the room.

On October 24 the police were notified of the incident and it was established that the rings had been taken to a jewellery store in Liverpool where he had 'set up an account'.

Defending, Frances Hertzog, said her client, who was subject to a community order and suspended sentence at the times the offences were committed, was of good character when employed two years ago.

She said: "The real issue here is sentimentality.

"This gentleman had never been in trouble with police prior to March 2016.

"There are no issues in relation to drugs, drink or financial difficulties.

"His father has been exceptionally concerned, likewise his mother."

Four other offences of theft, including of a Seat Ibiza, Mercedes and jewellery, were taken into consideration.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC said Hughes had 'breached the trust' of the victims.

He added: “You are 27 and appear before this court for sentence following pleas of guilty for an offence of burglary and an offence of theft – and you invite me to take four similar offences of theft into consideration.

"These offences were committed in 2016 when working for Homecare cleaning carpets for, in most cases, elderly people.

"You were working, in most cases, in the homes of elderly women, who lived alone.

"They placed trust in you.

"You may not have targeted them but came in their homes and took full advantage of them."

Hughes was sentenced to two years in prison for the burglary and six months, concurrent, for the theft.