A man will appear in court today after allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at a hotel near Lake Macquarie.

About 3:30pm, Thursday 14th May 2015, a woman was celebrating her birthday at a hotel on Ntaba Road, Jewells.

In the poker machine area, a man allegedly stole a purse out of the 59-year-old woman’s bag before running from the hotel.

The woman and other patrons chased the man and police were notified.

Patrolling Traffic & Highway Patrol officers located a 20-year-old man in a nearby backyard.

Police searched the man and seized cash, a folding knife and small quantity of methylamphetamine.

He was taken to Charlestown Police Station and charged with steal from person, two counts of enter enclosed lands, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a prohibited drug and an outstanding warrant.

The Gateshead man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2015).