A THIEF who stole and sold a three-week-old puppy belonging to his own mother, has been ordered to compensate her for the £200 reward she paid for the animal's return.

The pedigree German Shepherd, named Goatee, was one of a litter born to Mika and was kept at Stuart and Karen Howell's recycling premises on Colin Road, Scunthorpe.

On November 11, when the pup was only three weeks old, he was stolen from the site. And the owners immediately offered a £200 for his safe return, fearing he would die without his mother's care.

But, North Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court heard, the puppy was stolen by Mr and Mrs Howell's 28-year-old son, who is also called Stuart.

He took the young dog and sold it to Belinda Jordan for £100 as a Christmas present for her five children.

But Mrs Jordan, of King Edward Street, read of the plight of the purloined puppy in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and immediately contacted the owners.

They gave her the £200 reward money and decided the puppy should stay with the family once he had been reared.

Rebecca Dolby, prosecuting, said the owners went to tend to the litter on November 1.

Stuart Howell (junior) was spotted at the yard with another male later that day but he was allowed to go after speaking to the witness.

But it was later found one of the litter of nine puppies was missing, the court heard.

"The defendant's mother contacted him and asked him if he knew anything about it but he said no," said Miss Dolby.

Howell admitted a theft charge. He was given a 12 month community supervision order and was told to carry out 50 hours unpaid work.

District Judge Daniel Curtis also ordered him to pay the £200 compensation.

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