A TEENAGE girl was left shocked and in pain after being punched in the face by a mobile phone thief.

The 14-year-old was making her way home from a friend's house, along Queensberry Road, Seaham, County Durham, when the incident happened, at 9.30pm on Saturday.

She was less than 200 yards from her house, and was chatting on her mobile phone, when she was approached by a man in his early 20s she did not recognise.

He demanded that she hand over the Nokia 3330 phone. When she refused, he punched her twice - once on the chin and again on the forehead.

The girl dropped the phone, and her attacker ran off with it towards The Avenue, before turning right and going up the hill out of sight.

The thief was described as slim, about 5ft 8in, unshaven, and having a local accent.

He wore a dirty white jacket, a burgundy woollen hat with yellow and gold lettering on the front, and dark trousers.

The stolen phone, which has a blue and silver cover, was quickly disabled by the network, making it useless.

Police have conducted house-to-house inquiries in the area, but are keen to hear from anyone who saw the man on Saturday, or who knows the wearer of the distinctive hat.

They can contact Seaham CID on 0191-581 2255 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.