A SNEAK thief got more than she bargained for after she targeted a successful businessman.

The opportunist robber ended up being assaulted after stealing cash from takeaway shop owner Moien Mehra, a court heard.

Mehra, 49, had the money in his hand when the woman thief snatched it from his grasp, Teesside Crown Court was told.

She ran off, but the businessman managed to track her down, finding her hiding in some bushes.

But in his efforts to retrieve his money, he assaulted the woman, in Stockton, last July, the court heard.

Mehra, of The Leas, Sedgefield, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but admitted common assault.

William Grier, mitigating, said the victim had not made a statement in connection with the incident.

He said the defendant was trying to retrieve his money, but accepted he had gone beyond what was reasonable in the circumstances.

Mehra was a successful businessman, who had a number of takeaway shops and was of previous good character, said Mr Grier.

"He has never been in any trouble whatsoever," he said.

Judge Richard Lowden said Mehra knew he had done wrong, and he should have informed the police earlier.

But he said there was no question of a custodial sentence and fined him £100 with £60 costs.