TWO Harrow thieves who tricked their way into elderly people's homes by pretending their victims had won a raffle prize had their sentences dramatically cut yesterday.

Andrew Hanrahan, 28, and Barbara McCann, 24, respectively received sentences of seven-and-a-half and six-and-a-half years at St Albans Crown Court last October after pleading guilty.

Hanrahan, of Victor Road, admitted conspiracy to burgle, possessing an offensive weapon and handling stolen goods.

McCann, of the same address, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, plus offences of burglary and attempted burglary.

Mrs Justice Rafferty, who today cut Hanrahan's sentence to six years and McCann's to five years, said the pair had targeted vulnerable and elderly householders, using a "practised technique" to gain entry.

The two drug addicts conned their way in by McCann telling their victims they had won first prize in a raffle, distracting the victims while Hanrahan stole into the properties.

The first prize was supposed to be a free set of new luxury curtains, which gave a convenient pretext for entering the targeted homes.

Mrs Justice Rafferty, sitting with Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith, echoed the Crown Court judge's comments that "a society unable to protect its elderly is not worth living in".

Both McCann and Hanrahan had committed "dreadful offences" which brought "nothing but disgrace" on themselves.

But the appeal judge nevertheless ruled their sentences were simply too long and allowed their appeals.