TWO men who robbed a lone woman in the street at night have avoided custody.

Prosecutor Camille Morland told Bradford Crown Court yesterday the woman finished work at a warehouse and was walking in Tumbling Hill Street, off Thornton Road, Bradford, at 10.25pm on August 6 last year, when Terence McTasney and Dane Niemeyer attacked her from behind.

McTasney grabbed her around the neck, pulled her to the ground and got her bag and phone. The pair ran off and CCTV captured them going into the block of flats in Sunbridge Road where they were living at the time. The woman suffered a grazed knee and a mark to her neck and was left scared and upset.

McTasney, 30, of Bilsdale Grange, Buttershaw, Bradford, and Niemeyer, 18, of Thorn Street, Girlington, both admitted robbery. Niemeyer also admitted possessing cannabis and McTasney asked for an offence of burglary to be taken into consideration. Victoria Smith-Swain, for Niemeyer, said his involvement in the offence was peripheral. Anne-Marie Hutton, for McTasney, said drink had been his downfall.

Judge David Hatton QC said McTasney appeared motivated to get rid of his alcohol dependency and Niemeyer played a lesser role in the robbery.

As well as having suspended sentences, both got 12 months supervision and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement. McTasney also received 120 hours unpaid work with Niemeyer getting 100 hours.