A VAIN robber who used the proceeds of an £800 bag-snatch to have his hair cut and dyed has been spared jail.

Paul Bull targeted a woman in her twenties as she left a bank in Hylton Road, Sunderland, on February 28 and took her bag, containing the money.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 29-year-old had just taken the last 85p from his account at the branch.

But after he stole the bag, he visited a salon.

Michael Graham, prosecuting, told the court at an earlier hearing how the woman was uninjured but shaken when her bag was taken.

Mr Graham had told the court that while police searched for him, Bull was having his hair rest dyed and coloured.

Mr Graham said: "The defendant apparently went to the hairdressers and he had his hair cut and dyed later that day."

Bull has previous convictions for drugs and dishonesty, but none for violence.

Bull, of Azalea Terrace North, Sunderland, admitted robbery at the earlier hearing and the case was adjourned for reports. The case was back before the court yesterday when Robert Woodcock, in mitigation, told the court how his client had stopped taking drugs.

Judge Guy Whitburn sentenced Bull to two years imprisonment, supsended for two years, along with a two-year supervision order.