A DEBT-ridden Oldbury man snatched a mobile phone from a woman as she was making a call and ran off.

But Michael Howes was chased and caught by a cyclist and a motorist who heard the victim’s cries, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The 22-year-old, of Salop Street, was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years after admitting robbery.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay £600 costs.

The court was told Howes grabbed the phone as the victim waited at a bus stop in Smethwick, but a passing cyclist gave chase before being joined by a motorist.

They caught him and held onto him until police arrived. Howes had dropped the phone and it was later recovered undamaged.

Timothy Talbot-Webb, defending, described him as young and naive and had carried out the offence because he owed money.