Robber chased man and wrestled him to the ground in Newcastle City Centre for a fake Rolex watch

Baraa Hassan, 31, had been lurking on the streets of Newcastle in the early hours of a Sunday morning last year when he spotted his victim walking alone during a night out.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Hassan, a Syrian national, and an accomplice began following him as he made his way to a club.

They grabbed hold of him and then continued their pursuit when he managed to get away.

The pair later caught up with him again and managed to steal his watch which he had removed from his wrist.

Prosecutor, Lucy Todd said: "On Saturday 2nd of March last year (the complainant) had been out in Newcastle socialising with friends.

"At approximately 3:30 on Sunday 3rd of March he was walking towards Soho Rooms. As he turned the corner towards the taxi rank his attention was drawn towards two males.

"The two males began to follow, crossing the road and back again when he was doing so.

"One of the males has approached (the complainant), grabbing him by both wrists stating are you alright mate?

"The other male has approached from behind and (the complainant) has pleaded can you please get off me and leave me alone.

"The male let go of his wrists but continued to follow him towards the taxi rank.

"(The complainant) has began to run off and both males have given chase.

"During being chased the complainant has took off his watch from his wrist and put it in his pocket. Whilst it was not genuine it appeared to look like a Rolex.

"He has turned left on Hood Street when both males have come from behind and have grabbed him.

"His watch that was in his hand was stolen at that point. That was valued at £50.

"Both males have ran away from the scene and the police were contacted."

Hossain, of Spital Hill, Sheffield, was arrested and denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to robbery.

His co-accused Hmetee Ramzi, 28, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two-and-a-half years last June.

Recorder Geraldine Kelly sentenced Hossain, who has spent nine months in custody, to three years.

The recorder told him: "You chased him, you got him to the ground wrestling him.

"You took his watch from his pocket and stole £50 from him. Fortunately you were caught but months later."

David Callan, defending, said: "There's nothing to suggest this defendant at the age of 31 is not a man of good character.

"He left school in Syria at the age of 12 to work for his family. He fled Syria for understandable reasons and his current status is discretionary leave to remain.

"The defendant accepts this crosses the custody threshold."tody threshold."