A DRUG addict who mugged a teenage girl in a town centre has been spared an immediate prison sentence because of the huge progress she had made since the attack.

Adele Scott, 30, pounced on her 16-year-old victim from behind, slapping her twice on the head, and tugging away her handbag, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

The girl was left shocked, scared and crying and unable to summon help because her phone had been taken.

Scott, of Parkwood Rise, Keighley, pleaded guilty to robbery on Hard Ings Road, Keighley, late on January 15 this year.

Prosecutor John Bull said she had 12 convictions for 14 offences and had since served a six month jail sentence for handling stolen goods.

Scott was with a man when she attacked the teenager and made off with her bag containing £25 in cash, her bus pass, house key and phone, together worth £350.

Mr Bull said the male did not assist with the mugging and ran off with Scott. The teenage girl was physically unhurt but was now wary of strangers, more introverted and very anxious when out late at night.

Scott’s solicitor advocate, Julian White, called evidence from the probation service to support his assertion that she had made great strides since committing the robbery.

A former heroin and cocaine addict, she was now drug free, Mr White said.

Scott, the mother of three children, was very remorseful and had showed insight into her offending and into how frightened her victim must have been.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC sentenced Scott to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement. She must pay the teenager £350 compensation and Judge Durham Hall reserved any breach of the order to himself.

He told Scott: “I have to balance the first reaction to lock you up with the long term prospect of helping you to turn into a decent citizen.”

He feared that jailing her would mean she went back on to drugs and alcohol and lost the “massive effort” that had been made.

“This was a nasty robbery. You saw the opportunity to steal for drugs. You were at the time clearly in a dark place, committing offences of handling stolen goods and shoplifting,” he said.”

Scott thanked Judge Durham Hall as she left the dock.