brought to justice after detectives found traces of his blood on a discarded bus ticket at the scene of a street mugging.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how vital DNA evidence discovered on the ticket had led police to 19-year-old Sean McCann.

McCann, from Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, admitted robbery at Curzon Road, Bournemouth, in February this year.

Prosecutor Angela England said violence had flared after drunken McCann and two companions had approached a male pedestrian.

After a female in the group demanded money McCann picked up a bus ticket from the pavement, wiped his bloodied face and said: "There, have some blood."

Their victim sought refuge in a doorway after being punched to the back of his head and kicked.

His attackers fled with £2, his wallet and a bag.

Miss England added that McCann, an apprentice painter and decorator, had been caught after police had examined blood found on a discarded bus ticket and incriminating CCTV footage.

He was arrested at his home on February 28 but refused to identify the other members of the robbery gang.

Defending, Paul Hester said his client had not touched alcohol since the incident and had sought help from a counsellor.

Sentencing McCann, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC told him: "I am entirely satisfied that you were heavily under the influence of alcohol when you committed this offence and that you deeply regret what you did."

He imposed a six-month detention order in a young offenders' institution, suspended for 18 months, and an 18-month supervision order.

McCann was ordered to pay his victim £200 compensation and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.