A teenager who stole a mobile phone from a schoolboy has been given a detention warning by a judge.

Paul Riley asked a 14-year-old boy if he could borrow his mobile - then snatched it and tried to ride off on his bike.

The victim grabbed his jumper but Riley escaped after punching him in the chest, Worcester Crown Court heard.

In another incident, he took the sim card out of his girlfriend's phone during a row and bent it, said Tom Kenning, prosecuting.

Riley, aged 19, of St Phillip's Drive, Evesham, pleaded guilty to theft and common assault. He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge for common assault and criminal damage.

Judge John Cavell said children were often targeted for their phones.

It was "a nasty offence" and he warned Riley that if he took another phone he would go to jail.

The judge gave him a two-year community rehabilitation order after hearing he was responding to treatment for a drug habit.

The schoolboy was outside a shop in Mayfair, Evesham, on November 27 when he was approached by the defendant and another youth, said Mr Kenning.

Police acting on a description of the thief quickly found Riley at his home. He handed the phone over.

In the other incident on May 12, Riley twisted his girlfriend's wrist as he tried to throw her out of his mother's home, said Mr Kenning. He tore her top, spat in her face and then grabbed her phone.

Peter Arnold, defending, said Riley was a fragile personality who had attempted suicide.

His crimes stemmed from his drug addiction but the phone theft had been "a wake-up call" and led to an effort to reform.