A man who was punched in the head as he had his bag stolen chased after his teenage robber and managed to apprehend him with the help of two passers-by.

The victim was walking home from Northfleet train station along the High Street at 11.15pm when he was stopped and asked for money by John Oakes.

When he refused, he was punched by the 18-year-old, who followed him down the road, before grabbing and hitting him again.

Eventually, Oakes, of Granville Road in Sheerness, knocked the man over and fled having stolen his bag, which contained an electronic tablet.

But with the help of two people in a van, the victim followed the robber and restrained him.

Police arrived at the scene and, resisting arrest, Oakes kicked a car and spat in an officer's face.

Following the robbery, on September 20, he pleaded guilty to robbery, criminal damage, and the assault of an emergency worker.

"Oakes pursued the victim and continued to assault him in the high street in front of several passers-by, including children" - PC Martin Stevens

At a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

On March 31 had been stopped by officers from the community policing team in an alleyway in Perry Street Northfleet and was found to have over 60 wraps of cocaine and heroin hidden in his clothing.

He was sentenced to a total of three years and eight months' imprisonment for all of the offences.

The officer in charge of the case, PC Martin Stevens of North Kent CID said: "Oakes pursued the victim and continued to assault him in the high street in front of several passers-by, including children.

"He relentlessly attacked the man until he was able to steal his personal items.

"Thankfully, with the help of members of the public, he was detained and we have now ensured he is off the streets so he can no longer pose a threat to others or deal drugs in the area."

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