by Keith Hunt

A teenage cyclist who mugged a woman in the street has walked free after a judge said it was not necessary to lock him up.

Daniel Christian was told part of his punishment would be a supervision order designed to help him get his life "back on track".

The 19-year-old, of Canterbury Road, Ashford, admitted robbery. He denied two other similar charges and not guilty verdicts were entered.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Anne Marie Jordan was working at Dog World in Ashford and walked to the post office on May 4 last year.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, said while in Kingsnorth Road she sensed somebody behind her and then felt her handbag being pulled. The force was so great she fell to the ground.

"She felt pain to her shoulder and leg," said Mr Yale. "She could see someone riding away on a bike with her handbag. She described being in total shock."

The bag contained a mobile phone, £20 cash, bank cards and other personal items.

The victim later received a call from a woman who had found the bag and some of the contents strewn across a pavement.

Christian's fingerprints were found on some documents left behind and he was arrested.

The two other robberies he denied involved victims Maria Sackree and Zoya Zhilyoua.

Mr Yale said Christian had previous convictions for actual bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking and dishonesty.

Christian was sentenced to nine months youth custody suspended for two years with 150 hours unpaid work. As well as supervision, he will have to attend a Thinking Skills programme.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said the robbery was on any view a serious offence with serious consequences.

"This was an unpleasant and mean offence which placed your victim in some jeopardy," he told the teenager.

"She was vulnerable in that she was a woman on her own.

"Fortunately, no serious injury was caused, but it is likely to have an effect on the victim beyond any physical injury and the loss of belongings."

The judge said he accepted the offence was committed on impulse.

"In the circumstances, I do not think it is necessary to send you immediately to custody," he added.

"I very much hope you get your life back on track and you are not seen back here."