A LEIGH father-of-five has been jailed for nine months after stealing three rings worth £1,445 when he was installing windows at a pensioner's house.

Kevin Hurst, 38, of Furness Crescent, admitted taking the rings when he was a labourer working for Highstyle Home Improvements at the home of Brenda Munroe in Hand Lane, Leigh.

His long-term girlfriend Ingrid Lally, also of Furness Crescent, later pawned the jewellery for £200.

She was sentenced to 100 hours community service for handling stolen goods and obtaining money by deception. Lally, 25, had first claimed to police that she had found the rings on the street and Hurst also initially denied the theft.

A court heard that Hurst was working with three others at Mrs Munroe's house last September and had access to all parts of her home during the four days they were there. Mrs Munroe first noticed her watch was missing and thought that she had mislaid it but later discovered that the three rings, which were of great sentimental value, and a locket were also missing at a total value of £1,650.

She contacted Highstyle Home Improvements and told them she was so desperate to get her rings back she would offer £200 if they were returned anonymously, but nothing happened.

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

Lally claimed she had pawned the rings to buy things for the couple's five children. The court heard that Hurst had 37 previous convictions for theft and Lally had four previous convictions, including one of handling stolen property.

Jailing Hurst, Judge John Roberts said he had committed a gross breach of trust and had a bad record for dishonesty in the past.

SPEAKING after the court case, Mrs Munroe said she was now calling for greater protection from rogue workmen. The 61-year-old said new regulations should be implemented to prevent convicted criminals from having jobs where they have access throughout people's homes. She said: "They just shouldn't be given jobs which puts them in people's homes, where they have access to every room." Mrs Munroe said she was devastated at the theft: "He was a very pleasant man and very polite. I remember having a chat with him over a cup of tea. I was completely devastated when I found out it was him -- I could not believe it." And she has complained a representative from Highstyle Home Improvements was "aggressive" towards her when she first discovered items had gone missing from her home. She said: "A man from Highstyle came round to see me when I said things had gone missing. He was very aggressive. He didn't believe his men could have done it. His attitude was terrible." She added that he did come round and apologise when the truth of the theft was known. Partner at the window firm Steve Worthington said the firm had also been a victim of Mr Hurst's dishonesty. He said it was impossible to check the criminal records of employees but added it was the first time in 12 years such an incident had happened. Hurst has since been dismissed from the firm. He said: "I am shocked and disappointed by what he has done, I think it's the lowest form of theft." Mr Worthington insisted all his dealings with Mrs Munroe had been carried out in a courteous manner. He added: "I did apologise to Mrs Munroe for doubting her -- but at the time I was between a rock and a hard place. In the future we will check references more rigorously."