THE MUGGER must have thought his intended victim was a soft touch – but the would-be robber got more than he bargained for when he targeted plucky schoolboy Billy White.

Billy, 14, was on his way home from Everest Community Academy, in Popley, Basingstoke, at 3.30pm on Tuesday, January 15, when he came to the underpass at the A340 Aldermaston Road.

His stepmother Frances Jago, of Park Prewett Road, Rooksdown, said a man saw Billy and got off his bike.

The 34-year-old said: “He asked Billy for the time and then asked what else he had on him. He started to pat him down to get his phone and that’s when Billy punched him to get away from him.

“Billy is quite a big boy, around 6ft, so he’s not scared of much, and he’s streetwise too. He did not fear him but he’s upset that he had to punch him.”

The mugger is said to be around 5ft, was wearing a black and white hooded top and had clothing over his mouth.

Miss Jago called the police when Billy returned home, and hopes the attacker can be caught.

She said: “I am more angry than shocked to be honest.

“These sorts of things are happening so much these days – I do not know what the world is coming to.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Rob Leech, at Basingstoke police station, on 101.