THE courage and memory of an 82-year-old woman put a serial burglar behind bars after the thief targeted the elderly – again.

Now police are urging the public to remember the house raider’s face to stop her resuming her career of crime after she is released.

Yvonne Greenwood, 31, was jailed for 876 days after she targeted two elderly people’s homes and broke into them on the same day.

She was caught because one of her victims remembered her and was able to identify her to police a fortnight later.

It was the third time she had appeared before York Crown Court for burglaries on pensioners’ homes. She specialises in sneak-in burglaries where she distracts elderly people and then steals their property. On the two previous occasions she was jailed for at least three years.

Det Sgt Mark Jackson, of York CID, said: “Yvonne Greenwood is starting a term of imprisonment which accurately reflects her level of offending.

“She is no stranger to this type of offence which historically is directed against the elderly and vulnerable, often where personal and sentimental belongings are stolen and never recovered.”

“On this occasion she was identified by an 82-year-old victim, who had to face Greenwood once again at a police identification parade.

“It is to the credit of the victim that, after suffering a burglary, she was able to maintain the image of Greenwood in her mind and then identify her two weeks later on an identification parade.

“I personally know that the victim is very pleased with the result which has brought closure of the incident and security back to her life.”

He added: “I would take this opportunity to ask members of the public to take a look at the picture published today and remember the face.” Greenwood, of Pickering House flats, March Street, The Groves, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary at a preliminary hearing. She stole cash and wallets in her quick raids in north York.

The court heard that she had been suffering from post-natal depression at the time, having recently given birth, and she had financial difficulties. In the past, the same court heard that she stole to fund a drug habit.