A police sniffer dog helped catch a burglar who was hiding in a hedge after breaking into Boots in King's Lynn, a court heard.

Police dog Shuck was called to the store in Goodwins Road with his handler following the break-in on July 13.

Shuck managed to sniff out burglar Christopher Denham, 43, finding him about 100 metres down the road hiding in a hedge.

PC Jim Wells, Shuck's handler, said after the case that it was not the first time the dog had helped catch criminals.

PC Wells said: 'On that occasion Shuck was tracking along a hard surface. We followed this route and the dog approached a bush. He started barking at the bush.

'We saw a set of trainers sticking out the other side of the bush. It was a nice little job.

'I have had a lot of success with him, and he's been my most successful dog.

'Several months ago in Downham Market we tracked a guy down for two to three miles. We found him hiding in the middle of a haystack. And we tracked another person after a domestic incident in Swaffham.

'He's got a good nose and is very determined, strong, and as stubborn as a mule.'

Shuck arrived from the Humberside police breeding programme and qualified a year ago, he said. The jet black dog is about three-and-a-half years old and weighs 50kg.

Norwich Crown Court heard on Monday that Denham had smashed the door of the store to steal diazepam tablets worth £10.

Denham threatened to kill the dog if it bit him, but despite the threats he was caught by Shuck, Chris Youell, prosecuting, said.

Denham again broke into the Boots store on July 27, and was again caught by a police dog – Mr Youell did not know if it was Shuck again. Denham, of no fixed address, admitted burglary and was given an 18-month community order with a requirement to attend an alcohol treatment programme.

Danielle O'Donovan, for Denham, said he had had a serious alcohol problem for some time. She said he had broken into the chemist in desperation.

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