A woman was attacked on her front doorstep by two robbers who knocked her to the ground and snatched £3,500 of gold jewellery she was wearing.
In separate incidents, one of the raiders, Christopher James Smyth, who was jailed for five years at Leicester Crown Court, also snatched two gold chains from elderly women in the street as he cycled past.
He also attempted to rob a middle-aged pedestrian.
Smyth (23) and co-accused John Vincent Barry Smith (20), both admitted robbing the householder in Andrewes Street, near King Richard's Road, Leicester, on June 24.
Smith was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said the defendants knocked at the victim's door using an excuse to ask about picking fruit from a tree and inquired if anyone else was at home.
She indicated she was alone in the house.
Mr Bannister said: "Both defendants grabbed jewellery she was wearing, with one snatching her gold necklace and the other grabbing her earrings.
"She ended up on the floor and suffered bruising, grazing and was left in shock."
The police responded rapidly and pursued the defendants who were hiding at a nearby house of someone they knew.
Smith, of Cowdall Road, Braunstone, was arrested at the property and Smyth, of Pollard Road, Braunstone, was detained after being chased across several gardens.
The stolen jewellery was recovered and returned to the owner.
In a victim impact statement she said: "Even if someone crosses in front of the house I feel they might be coming to hurt me."
Smyth admitted robbing a 73-year-old woman who was walking along Lindsay Road, Rowley Fields, at 6.30 pm on June 19.
Mr Bannister said: "Smyth cycled up behind her and grabbed her £400 gold necklace and in doing so knocked her to the ground."
The necklace featured an African marriage symbol and was given to her by her husband on their wedding day 50 years ago and was of great sentimental value.
She suffered pain to her lower back and the fall exacerbated an existing shoulder injury, with torn ligaments, and she may also require surgery.
Smyth further pleaded guilty to robbing a 60-year-old woman on June 23, at 2 pm on Fosse Road North, in the city.
Mr Bannister said Smyth cycled past and snatched her £1,500 gold necklace – a cherished gift when her son was born 37-years-ago, given by her mother-in-law.
She suffered a bruised and sore neck and was shaking in fear and later suffered nightmares.
Smyth also admitted attempting to rob a 49-year-old woman moments earlier in the same street, by unsuccessfully trying to grab her necklace, leaving the victim frightened with a ripped T-shirt.
Sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Robert Brown said of the attack on the householder: "It was pre-planned and you were both involved.
"She was left traumatised.
"Each of you have a substantial record of previous convictions showing a large number of house burglaries and you were both on licence from earlier sentences.
"All four victims were badly affected by what happened."
Carl Gaskell, for Smyth said: "No weapons were used and there wasn't significant violence used."
When the judge remarked that there have been a recent spate of jewellery snatch incidents in Leicester, Mr Gaskell said: "He's pleaded guilty to all that he's done.
"He's not responsible for anything else.
"The victims must have been terrified and he knows that and is remorseful and doesn't want to do this sort of thing again."
James Varley, for Smith, said: "He was involved in one offence and is very sorry for what happened."
