A TEENAGER has been jailed for trying to rob a man in the street.

Kristos Phillipos was part of a gang who followed a man through Brighton City Centre and into The Lanes.

The 19-year-old grabbed his victim but the man got away from him before there was a chase and an off-duty police officer came to his aid.

Phillipos, of Brighton, was jailed for 20 months after admitting trying to steal a man's phone

Matthew Heywood, prosecuting, told Brighton Crown Court: "William Whitestory was walking down North Street when he was followed by a group of three to four males as he passed TK Maxx.

"He then turned into Meeting House Lane and he was still followed by the group.

"His intention was to meet three friends and he met them whilst he was still being followed. As he passed a clothing shop called Profile a white man over took him.

"Kristos Phillipos then came from the side, grabbed hold of his shoulder and said 'give me your phone.' Mr Whitestory refuses and runs off up Ship Street.

"There was a chase. Mr Whitestory runs into a shop and this defendant and another male wait outside. Luckily for the complainant an off duty police officer Detective Sergeant Taylor saw the latter part of the chase and assisted the complainant.

"There was an extensive police investigation. Police worked very hard to try to identify the males through an extensive search of CCTV in Brighton. Police were able to identify Phillipos as one of the perpetrators."

Phillipos, was sentenced to 20 months in jail for the attempted robbery which took place on November 20, 2015.

He was also sentenced to six months in custody, to run concurrent, for a separate offence of possession of a small quantity of MDMA.