Burglar left his phone at the scene of bulldogs theft

A BURGLAR who broke into a family’s home and stole two French bulldogs was caught after he left his phone and bank card at the scene.

Thief Kailum Lever was 17 when he carried out the burglary of one-year-old dogs Ziggy and Kingston in Caerphilly on Boxing Day 2019.

The home-owners, Jamie Morgan and partner Kelsey King, knew the defendant and recognised his phone, which had been left at the property.

They then visited a neighbour’s house which Lever attended and found both dogs unharmed.

It is believed Lever, now 19, carried out the theft with others but he was the only one caught and he subsequently pleaded guilty to burglary.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard the victims and their three children were out attending a football match in Cardiff when Lever broke into the house through an upstairs window and took the dogs, as well as £300 in cash.

He also made a search of the property.

When the victims returned to the house and realised the dogs had gone, Ms King discovered Lever’s phone and attended the home of a neighbour known to the defendant, where she found both of the dogs.

The neighbour said she did not know the dogs were stolen and had agreed to look after them for Lever.

Lever was arrested and interviewed in May, when he gave a no-comment interview.

Another man was arrested and charged in connection with the burglary but the charges were subsequently dropped.

In mitigation, defence barrister Edward Mitchard said his client had suffered with learning and behavioural difficulties as a child but had since made contact with a homelessness charity, which is now supporting him.

Sentencing, Recorder Dyfed Thomas said: “You didn’t have an easy childhood but you now seem to be sorting yourself out.”

Lever was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months and was ordered to carry out 19 sessions of a thinking skills programme.