A woman who was a "professional pick-pocket" from elderly and vulnerable passengers on public transport is facing deportation from the UK, for the second time.

Lulia Lupul, a Romanian national, appeared at Durham Crown Court, charged with 15 counts of theft and one of attempted theft.

All the offences were said to have been committed on passengers on buses in the London area, between December 9, last year, and March 2 this year, netting an estimated £10,000-plus worth of stolen goods.

Wallets, credit cards, cash and phones were taken, using distraction techniques to block the targeted passengers, including wheelchair users, a woman using a zimmer frame and someone pushing a wheelchair.

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Another was supervising young children and was blocked from getting to them by the suspect, while another victim was pushing a baby in a buggy.

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, told the court: “The Crown would say they were pick-pocketing offences, with very professional hallmarks and were part of a group activity in which there were members of a gang blocking or distracting passengers on Transport for London buses.

“The victims distracted were mostly elderly and vulnerable people.”

Miss Haugstad said all the incidents were captured on CCTV enabling Lupul to be identified and arrested.

When interviewed she confirmed it was her captured on the CCTV footage.

Miss Haugstad said the victims spoke of the anxiety and despair at the crimes, which, in some cases, has affected their confidence using public transport.

Lupul, 44, described as care/of Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre, near Consett, but who appeared in court by video link from HMP Low Newton, near Durham, where she is in custody, previously admitted all 16 counts she faced.

The court heard she has a previous theft conviction in this country from 2017, after which she was deported back to Romania.

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David Ward, in mitigation, said the defendant, who was assisted during the hearing by a Romanian interpreter, is now “very remorseful” for her actions.

He said she has four dependent children back in Romania who are being looked after by her sister.

“She came to the UK hoping to seek employment, but it was clearly difficult given that she is illiterate, as her mother did not have the money to send her to school, and she only has a low-level understanding of English.

“In desperation, stupidly, she involved herself in this kind of activity.

“She was, simply, desperately trying to provide for her children back in Romania.

“Her original offence, in 2017, led to her being sentenced and deported, but she returned as her mother lives in Middlesbrough.

“She expresses her deep regrets for involving herself in this kind of activity.”

Judge Jo Kidd told Lupul: “Having been deported from the UK once you chose to return even though you had no visible means of supporting yourself.

“Your mother may have been in Middlesbrough, but you chose to travel to London and involve yourself in organised crime.

“Having previously been imprisoned for the same offence, that did not present any deterrent whatsoever to your behaviour.

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“Your criminality is best described as ‘prolific’ and ‘organised’ in that your group targeted particularly vulnerable people.”

The judge said the impact on the victims was not just financial but has led to a loss of confidence in them using public transport.

Imposing a 12-month prison sentence, Judge Kidd said she had “no doubt” that upon completion of the sentence Lupul would be deported once again, but she added that it was a matter for the Home Office to resolve.