A FATHER caught the man who stole his 14-year-old daughter's mobile phone because she recognised the thief as he waited for a tram, a court heard.

Imran Butt ran off when he realised he had been spotted, but was found by the girl's father cowering in a nearby church.

Ashleigh Wilcock had been walking with her friend Louise Riley when one of a gang of Asian males behind her shouted: "Give us your phone." Butt took the phone and then kicked her in the stomach.

Nineteen-year-old Butt, of Kings Road, Prestwich, admitted theft and common assault when he appeared at Bolton Crown Court.

Prosecutor Lisa Boocock said that Ashleigh demanded her phone back from Butt, but he said it was not hers anymore.

Eleven days later, the victim saw Butt and told her father Michael, who found him near Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church.

The court heard that Butt had originally pleaded not guilty but failed to turn up for his trial and breached his bail. He had been remanded in custody for 118 days. Judge Derwin Hope deferred sentence until July 28, but said he would be awarding compensation to the victim.