A DRUNKEN teenager who robbed a man of his mobile phone in Yarmouth was court when the victim recognised his attacker on the social networking site Facebook a court heard.

A DRUNKEN teenager who robbed a man of his mobile phone in Yarmouth was court when the victim recognised his attacker on the social networking site Facebook a court heard.

Chase Staff, 19, robbed the victim David Smith in Northgate Street at about 9.45 in the evening Norwich Crown Court heard.

Stephen Spence, prosecuting said that Staff approached Mr Smith in an aggressive manner and falsely accused him of owning him �20. The victim tried to defuse the situation and when he took out his mobile phone Staff snatched it from him and swore at him telling him he would take his mobile phone instead.

Mr Spence said Mr Smith contacted the police and gave a description of his attacker but when he looked on Facebook he recognised Staff as being the robber.

“He saw a photograph and realised he was the offender and contacted the police. Staff was later arrested for the offence,” he said.

Staff, of Rampart Road, admitted the robbery in April this year and asked for a further offence of threatening behaviour to be taken into consideration.

Sending him to a young offender's institution for 10 months Judge Paul Downes told Staff: “Your behaviour was quite unacceptable and can only be dealt with by a lengthy sentence of custody.”

Jonathan Morgans, mitigating, said Staff had suffered a difficult childhood and also had attention deficit disorder. He had been in an emotional state when he committed the robbery and had been drinking heavily.

“This is a robbery at the very lowest end no actual force was used.” He said Staff who had the support of his family had handed himself into the police when he realised the situation. He said that Staff now wanted to change and has stopped drinking. “He has turned the corner.”