Stolen bulldog handler given second chance - The Stratford Observer

Stolen bulldog handler given second chance

Stratford Editorial 13th Oct, 2014 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A MAN who twice failed to keep probation appointments after being given a community sentence for handling stolen bulldog puppies has been given another chance.

James Cooper had pleaded guilty to breaching the order imposed at Warwick Crown Court in July for handling the pups which had been stolen from a young mother’s Stratford home in January.

Ordering him to do an additional 14 hours of unpaid work, the equivalent of two sessions, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano warned him that another breach ‘will result in custody.’

The 29-year-old of Avon Road, Lighthorne Heath, had admitted handling the puppies after they were taken in a burglary at Christine Wilkinson’s home in Justin’s Avenue, Stratford.




In July, after originally being charged with the burglary and spending six months in custody, he was given a community order, with 12 months supervision, and 120 hours of unpaid work.

But the court heard that in August Cooper missed two probation appointments, including one to carry out unpaid work.


Nick Devine, defending, said there had been a couple of lapses.

Judge de Bertodano also ordered Cooper to pay £85 costs.

The stolen bulldog puppies – one French and two English – were never recovered.

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