Burglar's dog is given lift home
A burglar's dog was given a lift home in a police van before its owner was taken into custody.
Ross Sneddon claims he went into an upstairs flat in Hendon,Sunderland,because he was chasing his pet after it ran off during a walk while wearing no lead.
Newcastle Crown Court heardacouplewhoweresleeping in the four-bedroom home on September 17 last year had been disturbed by noises and "saw a dog running upstairs" when they went to investigate.
Police caught Sneddon, who was on a suspended sentence for a previous burglary, at the scene.
He told them: "Burglary? I was looking for my mate".
But Sneddon, 32, of Gray Road,Sunderland,lateradmitted the offence.
Prosecutor Joe Hedworth told the court the raid has had an impact on the couple, who were in bed when their home was targeted.
The householder said: "My wife was terrified that there werepotentiallyunknownpeople in the address.
"Ididn'tknowwhetherthey were carrying weapons or not.
"I have never had any problems like this before."
Judge Stephen Earl said Sneddon, who pleaded guilty to burglary, had put up no fight when the police arrived and had co-operated with the officers.
The judge added: "He was moreconcernedaboutthedog than being taken away.
"Police gave the dog a lift home so it would be safe, rather than go direct to the police station."
JudgeEarlsentencedSneddon to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme requirements.
Alec Burns, defending, handed in character references and said: "It seems there is quite a lot of good in him."
MrBurnsadded:"Hewasn't outtocommitoffences.Hewas out with his dog.
"One of the neighbours of the complainants said he had been knocking on their door askingiftheyhadseenhisdog.
"He realises now if he had not been drinking his dog would be on a lead."
Mr Burns said the dog had got into the upstairs flat through a shutter, which was partly up.
He added: "The dog got in and he chased it in. He accepts hewentinandwouldhavetaken anything he saw."
Mr Burns said the dog has been cared for by Sneddon's girlfriend while he was in custody on remand.