Sunderland burglar's dog given lift home in police van

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 heard a couple who were sleeping 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, later admitted the offence.

Prosecutor Joe Hedworth told the court the raid has had an impact on the couple, who were in bed when there home was targeted.

The householder said: "My wife was terrified that there was potentially unknown people in the address.

"I didn't know whether they 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 more concerned about the dog than being taken away.

"Police gave the dog a lift home so it would be safe, rather than go direct to the police station."

Judge Earl sentenced Sneddon 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."

Mr Burns added: "He wasn't out to commit offences. He was out with his dog.

"One of the neighbours of the complainants said he had been knocking on their door asking if they had seen his dog.

"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 he went in and would have taken anything he saw."

Mr Burns said the dog has been cared for by Sneddon's girlfriend while he was in custody on remand.