A TEENAGER has been left feeling anxious after being jumped by a mugger in a busy road.

Tom Keneally, 19, was walking to his girlfriend's house down London Road, Westcliff, because it was quicker than the bus when he noticed someone approaching him.

The university student said: "I was coming up to the Westcliff Baptist Church and between that building and a residents block there's this dark bit of the road but I walk down there all the time so thought it would be OK.

"But that's when this fella came up to me. He said something but I didn't hear what it was and thought maybe he was in trouble and needed help. I kept my phone in my pocket because I wasn't sure.

"But then he demanded I give him my phone and pass code. I was shocked but didn't really have much time to think about it. Your parents always tell you to just hand them over so I did.

"I did think about using self-defence and then running off but thought if it went wrong I could put myself in real danger."

The crook then asked Tom for his Apple ID so the phone could be wiped.

Tom added: "It was really strange how calm he was, like was ordering a takeaway or something. I was just going along with it in the hope that someone would walk past and disrupt it but that didn't happen. There was one woman who was watching from a distance but she didn't get involved.

"He told me if I gave him the wrong one, he would come back and beat me up. I told him what it was but then about 30 seconds later he walked back and gave me my phone back.

"It was really weird. I don't know if he had been put up to it or lost his bottle or what. It was all very strange."

Since the incident, Tom has found himself becoming anxious about going out.

He said: "Whereas before I wouldn't think twice about walking to my girlfriend's, now I feel like I overthink it and weigh up everything. I'm definitely more aware when I go out and I have to plan a journey which I should be free to make without fear."

The suspect has been described as 5ft 10, Black, in his late teens. He was wearing all black with a beanie hat with some word in yellow knitted into it.

Tom added: "Even though he gave me my phone back, I hope someone can help track him down so he doesn't do this or worse to someone else."

If you have information, contact Essex Police on 101.