A woman who ripped a ring off an elderly widow's finger during a distraction theft was caught out by DNA she left behind on a strip of tape.
Claudia Buncici made off with two items of sentimental jewellery after accosting the 88-year-old pensioner in the street.
The 32-year-old approached her victim as she was walking along Charles Avenue in Radford, Nottingham, on July 14 last year, a court heard.
She handed the woman a package wrapped up in sellotape and said she was giving it to her as a present because it was her birthday.
The package was later found to be full of nothing but small stones.
Buncici then unsuccessfully tried to take the widow’s wedding ring from her finger while she was distracted.
But she did manage to steal a gold ring from her finger and a St Christopher’s chain from her neck – both of which were gifts from her late husband.
The couple had been married for 56 years until his death in 2014.
Detectives retrieved the package and DNA tests on the tape used to wrap it proved to be a match for Buncici who was subsequently arrested and charged.
Evidence from ANPR cameras also identified a vehicle used by Buncici in the Nottingham area when she committed the offences.
In a victim statement given to police, the woman said: “The chain and ring that were taken from me were gifts from my husband.
"Both are irreplaceable. Part of the reason I wore them was so I would always have something from him with me wherever I want."
Buncici, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft and attempted robbery and was jailed for three years at Nottingham Crown Court earlier this month.
Detective Constable Gavin Harper, from Nottinghamshire Police, said after the case: “Buncici preyed on this elderly woman’s vulnerability and kindness in carrying out her despicable crimes.
“The ring and chain she stole were invaluable to the victim as they were both presents from her late husband.
"Now Buncici is behind bars I hope she will reflect on the immense pain she caused to this elderly woman by stealing these sentimental items.”
Ten police officers from the Radford response team on shift at the time sent the devastated OAP some flowers after learning about the theft.
