A WOMAN was ordered to pay £150 for the cost of a mobile phone she broke by throwing it under a car.

Deborah Robson, 44, of Elmfield Terrace, Darlington pleaded guilty to theft yesterday at Darlington Magistrates' Court.

Leanne Steinberg, in mitigation, argued that Robson had never intended to steal the mobile phone, on March 10, but had taken it from its owner during a fracas between three or four people, and she then threw it under a car.

Claire Brinton, prosecuting, told the court how Robson had gone round to the victim's house with her 18year-old son, Trent White, who had assaulted the same person.

White, who has already pleaded guilty to the offence, is on conditional bail and will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in the coming months.

Robson was given a conditional discharge for nine months, and, as well as being ordered to pay the compensation, she was ordered to pay £85 courts costs and a £15 victim surcharge.