An aspiring footballer has admitted stealing a mobile phone after being hunted down by police using a GPS tracking application.

Nicholas Hodge found an iPhone lying on the ground, took it and boarded a train, Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court heard.

It had fallen from a police officer’s pocket during an unrelated chase.

Police tracked the phone from New Malden station to Kingston using the Find My iPhone app, and boarded the train.

Hodge admitted he had planned to sell the phone, after officers found it in his bag.

The 21-year-old, of Watersplash Road in Shepperton, has suffered from depression and anxiety, and receives disability living allowance, the court heard.

Ross Price, defending, said: “It was a very silly thing to have done. One should know that expensive technology has these kinds of application on.”

Hodge hopes to become a semi-professional footballer, Mr Price added.

Magistrate Ms A Linton said: “We have noted your early guilty plea and your means, and your mental health issues.

“However, we feel it is appropriate to deal with the matter by way of a fine.”

Hodge was fined £65 and given 28 days to pay. He was also ordered to pay a £20 surcharge plus £65 in court costs.