A TEENAGER has denied acting as a lookout for another youth, who was planning to rob a disabled woman of her handbag.

Craig Bennett, 17, is alleged to have stood by as a lookout for his friend as he grabbed the woman's handbag.

But yesterday, Craig, of Lunebeck Road, Thornaby, said he had left his friend after the other youth talked about robbing the woman.

He said he walked past the woman and thought that she would be all right. He told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that if he had been a lookout, he would have shouted something. He denied robbery.

The prosecution said the woman was returning home after shopping in Thornaby. As she reached her door, she felt someone from behind pull her bag. She resisted and ended up on the floor.

Ian West, prosecuting, said the attacker who made off with her bag was the other youth, but he said Craig acted as a lookout.

When interviewed by the police, Craig told them that his friend had told him he was going to rob the woman and he had tried to talk him out of it, said Mr West.

The case continues.