A SCHOOLBOY'S bravery in tackling a man who snatched a pensioner's handbag was rewarded with a £100 Christmas present by a judge yesterday.

Matthew West, 12, heard 68-year-old Thora Cox's cries for help in Ragpath Lane, Stockton, and pursued the thief.

The young hero caught up with Shaun Riley, 21, and grabbed the bag from him, recovering all of partially-sighted Mrs Cox's property, including her purse and folding blind stick.

Judge David Bryant said at Teesside Crown Court: "Matthew showed commendable courage in going after the thief and recovering the bag.

The judge expressed the hope that Matthew would receive his award in time for Christmas.

Riley, of Rievaulx Close, Stockton, and Alan Fairley, 29, of Droitwich Avenue, Stockton, who acted as a lookout, both admitted the theft on March 18.

Steven Constantine, for heroin addict Riley, said that he did not know of Mrs Cox's disability and was full of remorse.

Representing Fairley, Nigel Soppitt told the court he played a secondary role but accepted it was a joint enterprise to get money for drugs.

Both men were jailed for two-and-a-half years