Man jailed after robbing pregnant woman's phone

A man who robbed a heavily pregnant woman - causing her to fall - has been jailed.

Andrew Alveranga snatched his victim's phone, which was strapped to her wrist, while he was riding a bicycle in Stretford Road, Manchester on 23 February.

The force he used led the woman, who was 36 weeks pregnant, to fall on to the ground.

Alveranga, 39, was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for three years for robbery.

Having recovered from the fall, the woman flagged down police officers in a patrol car, giving them a description of Alveranga and helping them track the phone's location using her tablet.

Officers were able to track the thief to a road in Hulme, where he dumped his green jumper in a bush having spotted police searching for him.

He then fled to Moss Side, where he was later arrested.

Alveranga denied committing any offence and claimed the phone belonged to him - although CCTV footage showed he had stolen it.

PC Royle said: "I'd like to thank the victim and members of the community for reporting this incident to us and helping us with enquiries.

"This mindless offence could have had serious complications for the victim and her unborn baby at the time."

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