A man accused of stealing a cellular phone from the purse of a woman was remanded in custody until today when his fate will be decided.

Charged with larceny from the person is Marvin Doyle.

When the matter was called up in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, the accused pleaded guilty and offered an explanation. Doyle said, "Your honour, is because my mother is sick why I did it."

The court was told that while the complainant was standing at the bus stop, Doyle stole her phone from her purse and ran.

He was later held and handed over to the police.