The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Walsall Youth Court on Thursday and said she was "very sorry" for what she had done.

Ronald Perks, chair of the bench of magistrates, told her: "You let your mum and your dad down.

"It was out of character and you have got yourself a criminal record. If you do not change your ways, you could find yourself in very serious trouble."

Broke bail

The court heard that she had stolen £5 in cash from her victim, who she knew, at a McDonald's restaurant.

She then followed her around the town centre before taking her mobile phone and punching her in the face.

The girl was electronically tagged in May when she broke a bail order not to enter Walsall town centre.

Her behaviour had improved as a result of the curfew, the court heard, but after an incident at home she was taken into care and the tag was removed.

Criminal damage

The court was told she had rowed with her mother in June, which had resulted in several plant pots being thrown and a window being smashed by a pebble.

She continues to remain in care.

The girl, from the Beechdale estate in Walsall, admitted common assault, criminal damage, breaching bail conditions and two charges of theft when she appeared in court.

Magistrates ordered her to attend a nine-month referral order programme and told her to pay £20 compensation to the victim of the theft and assault.