THE prison sentences given to two men who bound an elderly woman to her stairs and threw a pillowcase over her head while they ransacked her home have been referred to the Court of Appeal.

Eriks Valants, 22, and Jed Martin, 27, were each jailed for 10 years at Winchester Crown Court after they admitted to an of offence robbery which took place in Leckford, near Stockbridge, on March 23, last year.

A request was made to the Attorney General’s Office to look into the case and see if their sentences were ‘unduly lenient’.

The case has now been referred to the Court of Appeal and their prison terms could be extended under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The scheme allows victims of crime, their families and the public to ask for a review of certain sentences they believe are far too low.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office said: “The Solicitor General was shocked by this case and wishes to express her sympathies to the victim.

“I can confirm that the Solicitor General has referred Valants and Martin's sentences to the Court of Appeal as she agrees that they are unduly lenient. It is now for the Court to decide whether to increase their sentences.”

Their victim was 72-year-old Susan Hunt, who was woken by masked men, shining a torch into her face and asking her for the code for her safe.

They then walked her down the stairs, putting black tape around her hands – tying her to the banister – before putting a pillowcase over her head.

Andrew Houston, prosecuting, said that Mrs Hunt said it “felt like hours” that they were in her home, which left her feeling “traumatised, disoriented and scared”.

Mr Houston said: “Using her teeth this elderly lady showed commendable courage and was able to free her hands and call 999. She bit her way through the black tape.

“Unsurprisingly she described herself as terribly frightened that people were going to come back.”

The men stole cash and jewellery including a Cartier ring, Omega watch, three string pearl necklace and David Morris pearl and diamond necklace with matching earrings, worth around £215,000.

They also took her father-in-law’s Military Cross medal from the Second World War, with a letter signed by King George. None of the items were ever recovered.

In mitigation for Valants and Martin their barristers said that the pair had shown remorse for their actions.