A MAN installing windows in a woman's house helped himself to three rings worth £1,445 and then his girlfriend pawned them for just £200.

The retired householder eventually had to buy back her own jewellery from the pawn shop for £100 but other items she said had been stolen were never recovered.

Kevin Hurst was jailed for nine months for theft and the judge described his actions as a gross breach of trust while working in the woman's home.

His partner Ingrid Lally, who told police she had found three rings in the street and then pawned them, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.

Hurst, aged 38 and 25-year-old Lally, both of Furness Crescent, Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence. Hurst was sentenced for theft and Lally to handling stolen goods and obtaining money deception.

Prosecutor Adrian Dugdale said Hurst was a labourer working for Highstyle Home Improvements who were installing windows at the home of Brenda Munroe in Hand Lane, Leigh, last September.

Hurst was working with three others at the house and had access to all parts of the house during the four days they worked there.

Police were called in after Mrs Munroe discovered her jewellery missing and the four workmen were arrested.

They traced the jewellery through a pawn shop and Lally was interviewed but said she had found the rings in the street and pawned them to buy things for their children.

Hurst, who had 37 previous offences, eventually admitted the theft. Lally had four previous convictions on her record including a handling offence.

Defending, Mark Fireman said the couple had been together for almost 10 years and had two children and were also looking after three children from Hurst's previous relationship. They used the £200 to buy goods for their children. and not to live the high life.