A sick yob who pick-pocketed a dying man in the street failed to turn up at court for sentencing - leaving his victim's family in tears

Heartless Scott Stephenson, 19, was due to be punished for the heinous crime but didn't show up at Newcastle Crown Court.

He had previously admitted handling stolen goods after stealing the mobile phone of the 22-year-old man as he lay unconscious on the street in South Shields, Tyneside, last December.

The victim, who was not named in court, was found dead of hypothermia in the same spot the next morning.

Stephenson's accomplice Dale Walker, 25 - who watched on as the crook rifled through the stricken man's pockets - was in the dock but sentencing was postponed until both could be brought before a judge.

Postponing the case, Judge Simon Hickey said: "The defendant is on unconditional bail.

"The case will have to resume once he has been found and brought to court."

Turning to the victim's sobbing family in the public gallery, Judge Hickey said: "I'm very sorry. You've heard the reason why the case cannot be sentenced."

Dale Walker
Co-defendant: Dale Walker, 25, also admitted handling stolen goods following the sick theft

The victim died of hypothermia after falling to the ground being knocked unconscious.

He had been travelling on the same train as the defendants when they all got off at Chichester Metro station in the town and he suggested they go back to one of their houses.

As Stephenson and Walker ran off, the victim is thought to have tripped and fallen as he ran after them.

The crooks then returned 30 minutes later and took the phone.

The man's body was discovered the next day near a school playground.