A MAN accused of mugging a pensioner was released from custody yesterday because the prosecution ran out of time.

Lee Jaffray, 34, was granted bail by Teesside magistrates after they heard that the 70-day custody time limit for comittal to crown court expires today.

Sally Knowles, prosecuting, applied for Jaffray to be sent back to jail to await a hearing at Teesside Crown Court on January 25.

Defence lawyer Craig Beer said he had just received the committal papers after arriving at court yesterday and needed time to consider them with his client.

The magistrates granted his request for an adjournment of the committal proceedings and allowed bail for Jaffray of Greenwood, Thorntree, Middlesbrough.

Jaffray is charged with robbing 72-year-old Barbara Herring of her handbag in Westbourne Grove, Middlesbrough, on October 15 as she walked home from church.

He was bailed on condition that he reports three times a week to the police and does not approach or interfere with prosecution witnesses.