A DRUG addict who snatched a woman's handbag from her car as she waited in traffic lights has been jailed.

Droitwich magistrates heard how Stephen Byrne was traced by police after his girlfriend made calls from a mobile phone grabbed in the theft.

Heroin addict Byrne, of no fixed address, had been in custody after failing to obey bail conditions to report each day to the police.

Susan Cliff, prosecuting, said Byrne had spotted marketing executive Kim Powell waiting at traffic lights in Worcester's All Saints Road on November 20 last year.

"She heard someone open her passenger door and saw the defendant," said Mrs Cliff.

"Then he grabbed her bag and ran towards the bus station."

The bag's contents - including a phone, credit cards and cash - were put at £278.

The court was told Byrne was on bail at the time, after assaulting a store detective three weeks earlier.

He had said "good evening, ladies" as he walked out of the Worcester branch of Woolworth's carrying a large bar of chocolate.

Byrne shoved the store detective as she grasped his arm, causing her to fall and strike her head.

The 21-year-old stole also from Holland & Barrett in Worcester. He was arrested after stealing four tins of a food supplement in February.

Byrne admitted three counts of theft and one of common assault.

Iain Willis, defending, described the handbag theft as "serious".

"He was desperate for a heroin fix," he told the court.

"It was a spur of the moment offence."

The magistrates told Byrne they had a duty to protect the public.

Byrne was jailed for a total of four months and told to pay £278 compensation to Kim Powell and £75 to the store detective. No costs were awarded.