A PRE-OP transexual who targeted elderly people and conned them out of money could be facing a lengthy prison sentence for her repeat offences.

Amanda Greenwood, 40, stole hundreds of pounds from vulnerable people around Barnet, knocking on their doors and asking for a taxi fare, which she promised to hand back.

However, when she revisited one elderly couple she borrowed £15 from, on the premise of paying it back, the heroin user snatched £40 from the 90-year-old man's hand and ran off.

But she was caught after the victim alerted a neighbour who chased and caught her, holding her until police could arrive.

Today magistrates at Hendon Magistrates Court decided their powers of sentence, which could give Greenwood a maximum of 12-months in prison, were not enough for the repeat offender.

She will now be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.