34-year-old stole Chihuahua after barging into ex-partner’s Cambridge home

A man who stole his ex-partner’s Chihuahua after barging his way into her house has been jailed for 18 months.

Damon Smith, 34, turned up at the Cambridge home at about 11:55pm on 5 June and asked to come in but was refused entry.

He pushed his way past before picking up the one-year-old dog, Dolly, and leaving.

Police were called and Smith was arrested later in the month. He had given the dog back the day after the burglary.

Smith, of no fixed abode, admitted the burglary at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday (20 June) along with a string of other crimes, including three thefts between 19 May and 18 June from Tesco, Cotswold and the Co-op,

He also admitted three counts of criminal damage, theft by finding, a public order offence and possession of a class A and B drugs.

He was ordered to pay £700 in compensation and handed a restraining order against his ex- partner.

PC Andy Smith, who investigated, said: “Smith is a prolific criminal, who stole from multiple businesses and his ex-partner.”