A MUGGER who attacked a teenager and stole his valuables in a late-night ambush was yesterday jailed after a judge branded him "a bully boy".

Carl Bishop knocked the youngster to the ground and kicked him in the back after he and two friends approached him from behind in the street.

Teesside Crown Court heard that 28-year-old Bishop yelled at his victim: "Give me the phone and your money or I'll punch your face in."

The boy was so terrified after his ordeal that he did not even tell his mother or the police, but a witness recognised Bishop and reported the robbery.

Bishop was arrested and given bail, but four months later was one of two intruders confronted by a Middlesbrough householder in his hall at night.

The startled homeowner was told by one of the wouldbe raiders: "Hey, mister, we chased two lads who were breaking into your garage."

Bishop admitted the January 28 robbery in Linthorpe Road, and burglary with intent to steal in Cranswick Drive, both Middlesbrough, on May 25.

He was jailed for a total of four years after Judge Les Spittle heard he had a string of previous convictions for, among other things, break-ins and violence.

The judge told him: "The robbery is an all too prevalent type of offence of bully boys onthe street approaching and threatening young people.

"It was such a terrifying experience that he was frightened to report the matter for some time . . . it appears you have not learned your lesson."

RobertMochrie, mitigating, said Bishop, of Folkestone Close, Middlesbrough, was drunk on both occasions, but had "dried out" while in prison on remand.

"His previous convictions don't stand him in good stead, " said Mr Mochrie. "He was a man who really wasn't capable of thinking logically and sensibly.

"Mr Bishop is remorseful for his actions and, with the benefit of sobriety, he accepts that he will receive a significant custodial sentence for these offences."