A MUGGER who was wrestled to the ground by passers-by after targeting a woman in Ealing has been spared an immediate jail sentence - provided he beats his alcoholism.

Sentencing of Mark Parkin, 45, of Hereford Road, Acton, who snatched an iPhone from his victim in South Ealing Road on July 20, was deferred at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday.

The court was told Parkin fled the scene but was caught by witnesses who recovered the phone. While on bail for the offence, his home was raided by police who found valuables which had been stolen in a burglary.

Judge Martin Edmunds told Parkin he was prepared to give him a chance to get clean of his dependency.

Parkin pleaded guilty to robbery and handling stolen goods and was ordered to take part in an intensive alcohol treatment programme. He will return to court for sentencing in February.

The judge said: "If you were to breach those policies and you are brought back here there will be no alternative to a lengthy prison sentence, but if you have done well, we can reasonably hope you will be given a suspended sentence."