Bailey Omar, 23, and Dillyn Sherrington, 19, stole a £20,000 animal ambulance from a Newcastle car wash before using it to smash repeatedly into a corner shop during an early-morning burglary. The raid caused extensive damage, while the specialist vehicle was badly damaged and written off, highlighting the significant costs of the offence for both the shop and veterinary practice.

The ambulance had been left at the car wash while its owners were on holiday and was normally used to transport sick and injured pets. Both men pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and aggravated vehicle taking; Sherrington also admitted possessing a Class B drug. Omar received 38 months in prison, while Sherrington was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders institution, with both banned from driving and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.