St Leonards couple arrested after pug puppy is bought with fake notes

A man and a woman from St Leonards have been arrested as part of an investigation launched after a pug puppy was bought with fake bank notes.
Gary the pug SUS-161220-145138001Gary the pug SUS-161220-145138001
Gary the pug SUS-161220-145138001

The tiny pug puppy was advertised for sale in the Friday Ad by a breeder from Laughton and was contacted by a couple who wanted to buy him.

The seller, a 75-year-old woman, exchanged text messages before the sale was agreed. The couple arrived at the breeder’s home in Laughton on December 1 and paid £500 for the puppy.

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The victim took the cash to NatWest in Uckfield on the same day to pay in and was told the notes were fake. She immediately contacted the police.

Officers started to investigate to trace those who had bought the puppy. On December 5, two people were arrested after warrants at two addresses in St Leonards.

A 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and controlling a thing knowing it was a counterfeit currency note. Both people are from St Leonards and have been bailed until January 16.

PC Rachel Harding, who investigated, said: “The swift actions of all officers involved in the investigations team in Eastbourne, we managed to find the puppy and return him to his delighted owner.

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“A serving officer, PC Bradley Stadler, fell in love with the puppy and has since bought him, obviously with genuine money. He has named him Gary and has given him a loving home.

“Our investigation is continuing.”

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