The power of social media and old fashioned policing led to a woman being fined £420 this week for stealing a dog and keeping it in a cage in her back garden.
Charmaine Jones, 27, of Ockleys Mead, Godstone, was found guilty at South East Surrey Magistrates Court this week following a trial after stealing a dog in Woldingham.
She was fined £420 for stealing Rocka, a Cocker Spaniel puppy, from his owner in Lunghurst Road on June 18.
There was wide-spread sharing of the story on social media after local officers used this to publicise the crime.
As a result of this and some linked enquiries by local officers they were led to Jones’ address where Rocka was found in a cage in her back garden. Fortunately Rocka was micro-chipped and was quickly returned home.
“This result shows just how important the use of social media is and also the knowledge of local officers working in the community, which helped bring offenders before the court” said Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector Angie Austin.
