THE victim of a street robbery helped catch her masked attacker by chasing after him and taking note of his car's registration number.

Freda Mulvey, 56, was walking through an underpass at West Pelton, County Durham, when she was attacked by John Coatman.

The 31-year-old, wearing a ski mask, snatched her handbag which contained cash and her mobile phone.

Mark Guiliani, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court, Mrs Mulvey had been the leader of a youth club that Coatman had attended as a teenager and felt she recognised him despite his face being partly covered.

Mr Guiliani said: "She followed him, and saw him get into a vehicle and made a note of the registration."

Police were able to trace the vehicle to Coatman and he was arrested hours later.

Coatman, of Charlotte Street, South Moor, Stanley, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for 18 months.