A PENSIONER rushed to the rescue of his 95-year-old aunt after finding serial burglar Sylvia Martin creeping down the stairs of her home.

Heroin addict Martin, 36, was jailed for three years at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after being convicted of her 21st and 22nd burglaries.

The court heard Martin was found inside the home of Rose Milner in Risinghurst, Oxford, by her 77-year-old nephew Michael Ireson in June – just hours after appearing at court.

He wrestled with her at the bottom of the stairs for about five minutes until police arrived and arrested her.

The court heard Martin, a mother-of-two, had been released on bail from court earlier that day for a similar burglary on an elderly couple.

Mr Ireson said: “I saw her creeping down the stairs. I stopped her and called the police, but she knocked the phone out of my hand.

“She was trying to escape and get past me. I kept her there, but she phoned someone asking for help.

“I saw a man at the back window with a metal bar and I was terrified.

“Eventually I couldn’t stop her anymore and she ran out the door.

“My aunt was in a terrible state. She couldn’t breathe. We needed the paramedics.”

Martin was immediately captured by police who arrived at the scene as she ran out of the front door.

Mr Ireson said: “It’s deplorable she had been in court that morning for a similar burglary.”

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting, told the court Martin, who has 26 convictions to her name since 1989, was bailed by Oxford Crown Court earlier the same morning for an identical break-in.

The court heard Diane Wilson, 70, spotted Martin walking down the stairs of her home in Old London Road, Wheatley, on June 5.

Her husband Marshall, 73, tried to stop Martin from leaving by grappling with her at the back door – then locking the front gates.

Martin scaled the garden fence, but Mr Wilson and a passer-by held on to her in the street until police arrived.

Mr Wilson said: “My wife is terrified these days. I have to lock the door every time I go into the garden.This woman should not be allowed out to prey on elderly people.”

Martin appeared at Oxford Crown Court on June 12 to admit the break-in at the Wilsons’ home – and was arrested for the burglary at Ms Milner’s home five hours later.

Martin did not manage to steal anything from either property.

Lucy Corrin, defending, said Martin had battled a life-long heroin addiction and suffered a relapse when she committed the burglaries.

She recently gave birth, Ms Corrin added.

Justice John Saunders told Martin: “I have great sympathy for your family and, to some extent, for you.

“I have a public duty to jail you for three years. You are a perpetual burglar.”