A young woman who burgled her 92-year-old grandmother's Oxford flat, stealing £250 she had saved for her own funeral, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 16 months.

Oxford Crown Court was told that Bianca Dominguez, 19, from West Ealing, London, was abandoned by her family and then cared for by her grandmother before going into care.

Vivian Walters, prosecuting, said Dominguez visited her grandmother's flat in George Moore Close, east Oxford, earlier this year despite knowing she was no longer welcome.

She was told to wait outside but entered and stole an envelope containing the money her grandmother had put aside for her funeral.

Paul Mitchell, defending, said: "She accepts it was a cowardly act against an old lady, the only person who ever showed her any kindness.Since going into care Dominguez had been in constant trouble but she was also a young girl of some charm, intelligence and ability.

"She completed a course of training and did voluntary work for two months in Belize, raising £700 for the trip herself. She emerged from it with credit."

"She now wants to make peace with her grandmother and sort out her life. She has decided she needs an education and is starting GCSE and A Level courses."

Judge Anthony King told Dominguez, who admitted burglary: "There are undoubtedly positive things about you, but this was a very mean offence."

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