A woman, who had her handbag snatched by a man and a 15-year-old youth in Great Yarmouth, was yesterday awarded �300 compensation for her ordeal.The 58-year-old victim had her bag snatched in Stafford Road as she was going into her driveway, Norwich Crown Court heard.

A woman, who had her handbag snatched by a man and a 15-year-old youth in Great Yarmouth, was yesterday awarded �300 compensation for her ordeal.

The 58-year-old victim had her bag snatched in Stafford Road as she was going into her driveway, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said the woman tried to give chase and raise the alarm and eventually her son managed to enlist a passer-by to apprehend the youth and Steven Raine, 23, until police arrived.

The victim suffered a sore hand as a result of having her bag wrenched from her. When arrested, the youth told police that he had owed a lot of money for drugs and that was why he committed the offence.

The court heard that the victim's credit cards and her mobile phone were recovered at the scene.

Raine, of Caystreward, Great Yarmouth, and the youth, who is now 16, both admitted theft on September 5 last year. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was made subject to a two-year supervision order and Raine was made to pay the victim �300 compensation and also pay �200 towards prosecution costs. He was also ordered to do 240 hours unpaid work.

Judge Peter Jacobs told them it was quite a serious theft and they had targeted a middle-aged victim. Katherine Moore, for the youth, said he had a number of difficulties, including mental health problems, and said: “He is a very vulnerable young man.” Jonathan Morgans, for Raine, said that he was of previous good character and said: “He wants to apologise for what he has done. He can offer no explanation.” He said that Raine, who was trained as a welder, was hoping to obtain work in the near future.