A woman branded a "menace" to her community has been jailed after being convicted of multiple offences including burglary, theft, child neglect and fraud. 

Gemma Davies, 29, blighted the lives of her neighbours within weeks of moving to Dalmeny Way, Epsom.

Her crimes included five thefts, two burglaries, four counts of child neglect, one count of making off without paying, and a fraud.

She stole purses when making phone calls from the homes of neighbours.

On one occasion she stole cash while collecting sponsorship money from a 94-year-old woman.

Davies broke the law again on Friday, July 4 - the same day of a court appearance - by stealing money from a taxi driver in Epsom and making off without paying from another taxi in Guildford.

She also stole a cheque from The Angel Hotel, in Guildford, and tried to cash it at a Barclays bank in the town.

She was finally sentenced to 20 months in prison at Guildford Crown Court last Thursday, August 7.

PC Lisa Betchley, who investigated the case, said: "Gemma Davies has been nothing short of a menace to the community in the short time she has lived there.

"Taking advantage of the goodwill of her neighbours who attempted to help her after she had moved in, and targeting the elderly were particularly callous acts on her part.

"It cannot be underestimated the impact these sort of offences can have on residents living in a close-knit neighbourhood which is why we took steps to bring Davies to justice.

"I hope this reassures the public that we will act when faced with challenging individuals and we would encouraging anyone else faced with similar situations to report matters in confidence."