Top GCSE student, 15, confesses and apologises for stealing £500 iPhone from Katherine Jenkins

7 January 2020, 13:11 | Updated: 7 January 2020, 16:49

The bright school pupil recently attacked Jenkins during a street robbery in London – but now she regrets her actions.

A 15-year-old schoolgirl has pleaded guilty to stealing a £500 iPhone from opera singer Katherine Jenkins, but now she wants to say sorry for her crime.

Jenkins, 39, had been walking down Kings Road in Chelsea, west London last month when she noticed an elderly lady being mugged by the young girl.

The phone theft took place after the mezzo-soprano decided to intervene, leaving the singer feeling distressed ahead of her festive charity concert at St Luke’s Church later on the same day.

The teen – who is on course for top grades in her GCSEs, was arrested shortly afterwards when Jenkins identified her with police.

Read more: Katherine Jenkins has officially sold the most classical albums this century >

During yesterday’s trial at Highbury Corner Youth Court, prosecutor Robert Simpson told attendees that Jenkins had spotted a “struggle with a lady” and was keen to prevent her handbag from being stolen.

Sabrina Fitzgerald, a legal representative for the teen, said she had snatched the phone “because she thought she was being filmed”.

Mr Simpson added the singer’s phone screen was broken as a result and there was a “clumsy attempt to remove the SIM card”.

After being presented with the evidence, District Judge Susan Williams ordered the girl’s mother to pay £20 in compensation and imposed a referral order of six months, telling the court: “It’s a real shock when you get mugged like that.

“It happened to me. It happened to this lady.”

The young girl – who also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer – feels remorse for her actions and would like to say sorry to the Welsh virtuoso."

When asked what she could do to help Jenkins feel better, the teen replied: “Probably apologise. I know that’s not going to make up for what I did.”

Although the teen cannot be named for legal reasons, she has said she would be willing to apologise to Jenkins in a letter or in person.