A THIEVING couple who targeted pensioners are facing prison - thanks to Bolton Evening News readers.

The husband distracted elderly women by chatting to them while his wife snatched purses from their handbags.

Josef Byhar and Kveta Bihariova, both aged 36, were responsible for at least 10 thefts in Bolton town centre and Farnworth over the past year.

Their "despicable" crime spree was brought to an end after they were pictured in the Bolton Evening News and identified by readers.

Both pleaded guilty to one count of theft through an interpreter at Bolton Magistrates Court on Thursday and asked for nine of other identical offences to be taken into account.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 2 while reports on the pair are prepared, but magistrates said "all options, including custody" would be considered.

Sue Carter, prosecuting, said: "All of those targeted were elderly women and the mode of theft was identical."

Byhar and Bihariova, of Bradford Road, Farnworth, were spotted on in-store CCTV cameras stealing a purse containing £350 from Mary Riley in the Late Shop in Market Street, Westhoughton, on Monday, November 14.

The 73-year-old was seen talking to Byhar in an aisle while his wife loitered nearby, before she was seen walking away, the court heard.

Two of the pictures were released by police to the Bolton Evening News and they were published in the paper on Thursday, January 19, with an appeal by detectives to readers to help catch them.

Mrs Carter told the court: "The Bolton Evening News published these pictures and numerous telephone calls were received saying the people in the pictures were the two defendants."

A search warrant was executed at the couple's home earlier this week and items were found which linked them to a string of robberies which they admitted to police.

The other offences took place in shops in Bolton town centre and Farnworth between July and January, said Mrs Carter.

Bihariova has a string of previous convictions for shoplifting and theft which was read to the court.

The pair were remanded on bail with conditions not to enter any retail outlet in the borough.

After the hearing, Det Sgt Martin Bell, of Bolton CID's dedicated robbery unit, said: "These were despicable and cowardly crimes which targeted elderly people.

"We've had a major problem with this type of crime in shopping areas.

"We had a very good response from Bolton Evening News readers.

"They played a vital part in making sure that these two weren't able to continue targeting people across the town."

Det Sgt Bell said shoppers should be aware of people around them and ensure handbags are shut to stop thieves from stealing purses and valuables.