AN ELDERLY woman was bound to her stairs and had a pillowcase thrown over her head while men ransacked her home, stealing family heirlooms including a Military Cross medal. The 72-year-old was in bed at around 2.30am on March 23, last year, when she 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 bannister – before putting a pillowcase over her head. Today (Thursday) at Winchester Crown Court Eriks Valants and Jed Martin were jailed for 10 years for the terrifying ordeal which left victim Susan Hunt frightened to live in her home.