A 25-year-old robbed a woman of her mobile phone a couple of months after burgling his mother’s home in Swindon and using a credit card he stole from a drinking friend’s wallet.

Brett Armstrong also pick pocketed a man in town minutes before he put his hand over the woman’s mouth and took her mobile.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Armstrong was caught after CCTV footage showed him attacking the woman, who has learning difficulties, in the early hours of Thursday, March 11.

Earlier that morning he said Armstrong had stolen a wallet from the pocket of a man in Sizzlers Steak House in Fleet Street.

Although the victim had chased him from the restaurant when he realised what was happening Armstrong managed to outrun him and get away to commit the robbery.

The offences took place a few months after he had burgled his mother’s house and stole his pal’s credit card as they drank in a pub.

Mr Meeke said Armstrong had been out shopping with his mother in town on Saturday, December 19 before returning to her flat.

While he was there he opened a window and arranged to meet his mother in a pub, but did not turn up.

Instead, he returned to her home in Wiseman Close, Covingham, and climbed in through the open window.

He stole about £180 in cash as well as 35 euros and the T- shirt she had bought when they were out shopping.

A few days earlier he had been out in a pub with a friend who had just used his credit card to buy some drinks.

As the victim socialised with other friends he left his wallet on the table and when he next went to use the card he found it had gone.

He spoke to the bank and they said it had been used to book a hotel room.

Realising who must have been behind the theft he reported the matter to the police.

Armstrong, of no fixed address, admitted robbery, burglary, theft and deception and asked for another burglary and three more deceptions to be taken into consideration.

The court heard that he had used other people’s cards to get hundreds of pounds of mobile phone top ups and other items.

Mr Meeke said the police were also considering charging Armstrong with another serious matter on the same night of the robbery.

Nick Fridd, defending, said his client was keen to be sentenced on the offences he had admitted as he knew he was facing a jail term.

But Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case to Friday, June 11 to allow prosecutors time to decide whether he would face a trial on the other allegation.

He said Armstrong, who had been in custody since his arrest for the robbery, would not be prejudiced by a delay. And he remanded him in custody again on all matters.

“You are currently awaiting sentence on a number of matters,” he told him.

“There is one more serious allegation outstanding. I don’t know what course it will take. I am told a decision will be made in the next few weeks.”