A MAN who robbed a legal secretary after she had left a building society was caught soon after by police after a witness tracked his getaway.

David Price admitted to police "it's a fair cop" and confessed his crime, a court heard.

At an earlier hearing Price, 27, of Hammerton Green, Bacup admitted robbery.

Dennis Watson, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court that the woman visited the Halifax on Manchester Road, Burnley.

She put a mini-statement in her bag, and Price crossed the road towards her. There was a pulling match with Price eventually getting the purse. "There was a short but vigorous struggle," said Mr Watson.

He said the victim was crying and distressed afterwards and sustained a cut to her knuckle. Meanwhile a witness had followed Price and seen him catch a bus to Bacup and the police were informed.

There was £50 remaining in the purse which had originally contained £90.

Paul Hague, defending, said it was the view of two doctors that Price suffered from mental health problems.

Judge Brian Duckworth made a hospital order under the Mental Health Act. He told Price: "What you did was very wrong and very wicked. It must have been distressing."

He added: "The courts are not in the business of punishing people who are unwell."