A man has been jailed after he was chased and caught by a police dog.
Gary Cunningham, 44, formerly of Wood Street, New Bradwell, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on January 3 to 14 months’ imprisonment, and to pay victim surcharge.
The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted burglary in a dwelling with intent to steal at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on November 29.
The crime happened on Boxing Day 2019, when Mr Cunningham attempted to break into a home in Castlethorpe, Milton Keynes, at around 3am.
He was unsuccessful as he was challenged by the resident, who happened to be awake.
Mr Cunningham took off, and the resident called 999 to alert the police, who began a search for the offender.
Police Dog Cass and his handler PC Brinklow tracked Mr Cunningham to a field half a mile from the house, and he was detained by officers.
When he was arrested, he was found with a crowbar, a screwdriver and a rucksack, which were seized and later destroyed on a court order.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Alex Kiljan from Milton Keynes police station said: “This was a brazen attempt to gain access to someone’s house and Cunningham clearly went prepared for breaking in to take property.
“It was only thanks to the brave and quick reaction of the victim that prevented the offender from entering the house.
READ MORE: Wycombe’s Hill Farm Rise cordoned off by police after ‘suspected fire’
“Due to the victim’s courage to challenge Cunningham and his immediate 999 call to police, Cunningham was arrested on the night and in the light of overwhelming evidence gathered in the course of investigation, he accepted responsibility for his actions.
“Burglary is a very invasive crime and I hope that this case shows we will trace individuals who seek to carry it out and bring them before the courts.”
