A delivery driver who snatched a pedigree miniature Schnauzer worth over £1,000 from a family’s garden when he dropped off a package has been given a community order and ordered to pay costs.

Ross-on-Wye resident, Charlotte Sullivan is pleased that the case has come to a conclusion.

At the time of the theft of the dog, whom Charlotte bred, and which is owned by her brother, she warned local residents to be on their guard when deliveries are made to their home.

Dog owner, Richard Guttfield, was heartbroken when Levi Pislea, 22, stole his beloved 11-month-old puppy named Wilma from his home in Marsworth, Buckinghamshire.

Richard knew that the dog had gone missing at the same time as his parcel was delivered and so contacted the delivery company in April last year.   

He searched frantically for five days scouring the area, putting up posters and making numerous phone calls.

Pislea, of no fixed address, denied stealing the dog and claimed that he had found him.

At High Wycombe Magistrates Court he was given a 12 month community order and has been ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay costs of £705.