Police sniffer dog apprehends chewing gum thief

A teenager who broke into a shop was caught after a police sniffer dog tracked him to his hiding place, a court has heard. David Colley, 17, was caught after the dog was brought into probe the break in at Eastfield Newsagents in Penicuik, Midlothian, on 30 November 2011.

He picked up Colley's scent and led officers to a house where he was living, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard. Colley pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and stealing chewing gum. Sentence was deferred until later this month for background reports.



Depute fiscal Ruth Ross Davie said eye witnesses saw Colley and other teenagers wearing dark clothing breaking into the store in the town's Eastfield Avenue at 03:00. Colley managed to get away with just 10 packets of chewing gum but was caught after Lothian and Borders Police dog handlers were brought to the crime scene.

An allegation stating that Colley had stolen two charity collection boxes from the shop were deleted from the charge after he entered a guilty plea. He also pleaded guilty to breaking a bail order which had been issued at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year, Colley was not supposed to be outside his home after dark.