An animal rights activist who stole a puppy has been condemned by a judge and the police.

Sarah Whitehead, 51, was jailed for two years for stealing the 12-month-old beagle Freddie from a house in Walmer.

She claimed she was rescuing the dog from cruelty.

But she was condemned by judge Adele Williams for taking the law into her own hands when sentence was passed at Canterbury Crown Court.

Det Insp Patricia Geary said: "We are pleased with the outcome of the verdict and sentencing.

"As a result of this person’s actions, a young family has lost their beloved pet dog and have no idea what has happened to him.

"No matter what an individual’s beliefs may be, they should not and can not take the law into their own hands."

Whitehead, from East Sussex, had been convicted of two burglaries at Chichester Crown Court in 2006 and the burglary and theft of a dog from a caravan.

She also had a conviction for a public order offence arising from a demonstration outside a laboratory.

Freddie’s owner, Anthony Arnold, said in victim impact statements that he could not understand why the puppy was taken or the thinking behind the burglary but he confirmed in evidence they had been visited by the RSPCA.

For full story, see this week's East Kent Mercury, out on Thursday