A woman stole a puppy from a house party after repeatedly telling its owner “I want your dog.”
Natalie Stephenson, pleaded guilty to theft at Teesside Magistrates’ Court after she took the 15-week-old Patterdale terrier from a house in Stockton on May 23.
The court heard how the 24-year-old had “taken a liking” to the Patterdale pup and kept saying to its owner how much she wanted it.
David Mead prosecuting said the party ended at around 3am when guests went to sleep - including Alfie the dog.
He said: “The following morning the complainant saw Stephenson leave the house and said “bye” to her.
However when she got up she couldn’t find her puppy.
“She thought it was strange because the house was secure and the defendant was the only person left at the party.”
The court heard how a conversation took place over text messages between the two of them in which Stephenson told the complainant she did in fact have the dog.
However she later denied that texts had taken place.
The next day police forced entry in to Stephenson’s home on St Cuthberts Road, Stockton, where they found the puppy from a bedroom.
The defendant was arrested and admitted theft of the dog. The pup was returned to its owner.
Gary Wood defending, said his client felt the dog wasn’t in a suitable environment.
He said: “Ms Stephenson had foolishly taken the view she could perhaps do a better job looking after the animal.
“There was a degree of inevitability in the offending as it was so unsophisticated there would be only one outcome, that she would be found out.”
Magistrates issued Stephenson with a six-month community order with supervision. She was also ordered to pay £120 costs with a £60 victim surcharge.
No comments:
Post a Comment