A ROBBER who kicked a woman in the back and then kept kicking her after she fell to the ground has been jailed.

Jake Chadwick, aged 19, and his teenage accomplice were sentenced for the "cowardly" attack on the female pedestrian in Bolton town centre.

Both defendants admitted robbery at an earlier hearing and while Chadwick was given three years' detention in a young offenders' institute, the 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders’ institute for two years and two months.

Bolton Crown Court heard the robbery happened at about 10pm on August 14 when the pair approached their victim in Newport Street.

She ignored them and they disappeared, but reappeared as she crossed over Great Moor Street, by which time Chadwick had covered his face.

The accomplice shouted to her: “Excuse me love!” several times while Chadwick walked alongside. Then he kicked her in the back, causing her to fall to the ground.

Both Chadwick and the boy continued to kick her legs and upper body as she lay on the ground. Then Chadwick snatched the woman's mobile phone from her hand and demanded her shoulder bag.

The victim handed her bag to the boy and the culprits ran off down Newport Street towards Victoria Square and she was helped to her feet by a passer-by.

Detective Constable Stuart Round of GMP’s Bolton CID said afterwards: "This is a distressing robbery, which has left a woman terrified and extremely anxious.

"These two cowardly individuals have paid the price that has not only cost a woman her personal belongings, but her right to feel safe in her own town.

"This sentence sends a message that if you commit violent crime, no matter what your age, you will be dealt with."