A thief who snatched a holidaymaker's handbag in Museum Gardens has been jailed for four months.

Less than 24 hours earlier, tourists and park-goers had chased Nigel David Jackson, 25, when he struck as his victim was waiting for friends to take pictures of St Mary's Abbey.

One of the pursuers dialled 999 on a mobile phone, said prosecutor Andrew Moore.

Police caught him in a nearby street with £165 in cash. He later led them to where he had dumped the handbag.

It was later restored to its owner.

Jackson was on licence from a 12-week sentence for five charges of theft and two non-appearances and on probation.

York magistrates jailed him for 120 days, saying his victim would have suffered "considerable distress".

Jackson, of Rockingham Avenue, Tang Hall, pleaded guilty to stealing a handbag and contents worth together £414.

Mr Moore said the victim, a woman on holiday in York, had gone to the Museum Gardens on Wednesday evening (july 19) with friends to take pictures of its ruins.

She had £370 cash with her, some hidden in her handbag, some in her purse.

As she sat on a bench "the defendant saw the opportunity to snatch the handbag," said Mr Moore.

"He did so and ran. A number of people saw him and gave chase, but lost him in the Marygate area."

But the pursuers gave police his description and officers caught him in a nearby street.

For Jackson, Mark Partridge said he hadn't realised the handbag belonged to the victim as she had two handbags by her side.

He thought it had been left by someone, but accepted he had stolen it.

He was a heroin addict who stole to feed his habit.

He would only stop breaking the law when he had kicked his habit and needed help.

The lawyer urged magistrates to continue a probation order imposed just one week earlier which would give him help.

But magistrates said the offence was too serious and the woman had been distressed by the incident.