A man who stole a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and then claimed the £500 reward money has been found guilty of theft.

Magistrates convicted Nigel Nash, from Maidstone, at a hearing in the county town on Monday.
The court heard that a witness saw him putting Sadie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in the back of his Vauxhall Cavalier on March 4 outside a printing shop in St Andrew’s Road, Maidstone. He then returned the dog to its rightful owner two days later, but claimed the £500 reward.

Nash, who was released on bail, is due to be sentenced at Maidstone Magistrates Court at a later date to be set after the propbation service has assessed his case.