A BUSINESSMAN who robbed a fellow trader when a deal went sour has been spared jail.

Amritpar Chahal said he and accomplice Mohammed Ali met up with Ravi Agarwal in Chiseldon to buy and sell mobile phones. He claimed as they fell out over money on a nearby rural track, Ali, who has not been caught, violently attacked Mr Agarwal and took his bangle, ring, phone, and wallet containing £500.

When the victim was bundled out of his car, Chahal, 25, drove off leaving him alone in a lane near Ogbourne St George.

After hearing he was a family man who had not been in trouble before, Recorder Maria Lamb decided not to jail him.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Chahal and Mr Agarwal both traded in second hand phones and had dealings before in Cardiff.

Chahal initially pleaded not guilty and blamed the robbery on October 2 last year on his passenger, but said he did not know where he lived.

Chahal, of Porthcawl, south Wales, pleaded guilty to robbery but denied a charge of kidnap, which was dropped.

He received a two-year jail term, suspended for two years, and must carry out 240 hours of community service and pay £1,697 compensation.