Muggers freed after theft that led to police officer Adele Cashman's death

Two teenager muggers chased by a policewoman who collapsed and died as she pursued them have walked free from court.

Adele Cashman, 30, gave chase to the pair moments after they stole a woman’s mobile phone. Colleagues rushed to her aid but she died 90 minutes later in hospital.

The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were each handed a six-month referral order for stealing the £550 iPhone5 from a woman as she sat on a bench and checked her emails.

The 17-year-olds were chased by the victim when Ms Cashman and a colleague were called to the scene in Belsize Park, north London, and gave chase.

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Ms Chapman, who went to Churchill Community School and whose parents still live in North Somerset, was described as a popular, out-going, healthy young woman, who was known as Del Boy to her friends.

Both youths are at sixth form college and hope to go on to university.

One of them apologised to the court for the crime. He said: “I would like to say I am sorry for committing a crime. Usually I am not the kind of person who would commit a crime, I just got caught up in the atmosphere.”

Neither apologised for the death of the policewoman

Ms Valerie Benjamin, prosecuting, said: “Two police officers were walking nearby and noticed the victim shouting, they ran to join in the chase.”

As the officers chased the two muggers, they radioed for support.

Responding to the call, DC Cashman and her colleague, who were in a police car nearby, sped to the scene in Belsize Gardens and chased after one of the muggers.

The two 17-year-olds were arrested at the scene and were charged with theft. They pleaded guilty.

Sentencing the pair to a six-month referral order, Paul Brenells, chairman of the bench, said: “You are both going to end up in serious trouble if you continue on this path.

“You are both educated and have good prospects, but if you continue on this path you are going to wreck your lives.

“You are not going into custody but if you carry on with this sort of thing you will very quickly end up in custody.”

The pair were also ordered to pay costs of £42.50 each.