Leticha Clare Harrison was originally charged with aggravated robbery following the September 10 offence, last year, but pleaded guilty in Tamworth Local Court after the charge was downgraded to stealing from a person.

The 33-year-old spent almost six weeks in custody following the stealing before she was released on bail in October, but during a sentencing hearing the DPP argued a stern sentence was needed because of the seriousness of the offence.

Tamworth Local Court heard Harrison approached the 19-year-old charity worker, who was selling raffle tickets in the Robert St Shopping Village, punched her before stole the phone.

“[The victim] is in a vulnerable position,” DPP solicitor Mark Ferguson submitted.

“She deserves the protection of the courts.

“This is an unprovoked assault, an unprovoked attack.”

Mr Ferguson argued the victim was simply selling raffle tickets when Harrison took objection, and that her violent history disentitled her to any leniency.

“The offender needs to be given a message that her conduct and this sort of behaviour won’t be tolerated,” he said.

Solicitor Joanne Patten said it was her client’s first time in custody which had been an eye opening experience, adding “she’s not going to go off the rails”.

“She feels disgusted with herself,” she told the court, submitting a good-behaviour bond was warranted.

“She thought the lady was rude to her and acted as she did.”

After taking time to review the case, Magistrate Mal Macpherson said it was a serious offence, convicting Harrison.

She was put on a good-behaviour bond to be supervised by community corrections officers for 15 months.