Luminita Stefan

A WOMAN who robbed pensioners after lying about being pregnant and needing a glass of water to get access to their homes has been jailed for four and a half years.

Luminita Stefan, 29, was already a convicted criminal in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Italy when she was caught by police at Luton Airport trying to escape the UK last summer.

She was found guilty last week of nine “distraction burglaries” targeting elderly victims in Islington and other north London boroughs over a year-long period from 2023 to 2024.

In each of the incidents Stefan conned the unsuspecting pensioners by asking for a glass of water or to use their toilet.

Once inside their homes, she stole cash, watches and jewellery, including wedding rings and invaluable sentimental gifts from deceased relatives, and later sold them on to unknown buyers.

The oldest victim was a 97-year-old man and many of the others tragically died before Stefan could be brought to justice.

PC Amy Smith, who led the investigation, said she was pleased that Stefan will have time in prison to “reflect on the callousness of her actions”.

She added: “What she did was disgraceful. Motivated entirely by greed, and without a care for the consequences for the victims, she tricked her way into the homes of elderly people who were willing to help her as an apparently pregnant woman.

“She then took anything of value from the people who’d shown kindness to her, some of whom passed away before Stefan’s sentencing.

“Met officers come to work every day to protect the public and to get justice for victims of crime. If you have information about people who are committing offences or facilitating crimes by selling stolen goods, please contact police or Crimestoppers and share what you know.”

The Met Police’s guidance for preventing distraction burglaries follows the mantra of “if in doubt, keep them out”, encouraging people to put a chain on their door before opening it so any potential criminals cannot burst in, and always ask for ID before allowing somebody into their home.

If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there, the Met’s website advises.