A teenager being driven to hospital with a broken arm leapt out of the car to chase a mugger.

Abdullah Khan, 18, was being taken to the casualty department by his brother Mahmood, 27, when they spotted a distressed pensioner who had just been mugged, and a youth on a BMX bike making off with her bag.

They drove after the boy before Abdullah jumped out and chased him. The incident happened shortly before 4.15pm on Tuesday, April 13, in Catherine Street, east Oxford, a short distance from the Khan brothers' home.

Abdullah had fallen off his bike earlier that day in Howard Street, and fractured his right arm.

He eventually had to give up the chase because running made the pain worse, but the mugger dropped the bag, which contained pension and income support books.

Victim Hope Fearon, 76, of Iffley Road, said she had been targeted by thieves 10 times in the past seven years. She said: "It was wonderful. I feel it even more because he was in need of medical aid and he put me first."

Miss Fearon also thanked staff at Silvesters Stores, on the corner of Hurst Street, who gave her £20.

Abdullah, who abandoned the chase because of the pain in his arm, said: "It was not really brave. It was a normal thing to do if you were to see an old lady in distress."

Police are looking for a black youth with dark, braided hair.

Call Pc Chris Griffin via 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.