A dog-napper has been jailed for more than six years after stealing a chihuahua at knifepoint in Orpington.

Joseph Smith, 29, pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary after initially pleading not guilty.

He was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday (March 16) to six years for the robbery and 10 months for the burglary to run consecutively.

Smith and two others forced their way into a house in Leesons Hill last February, punching a 42-year-old man repeatedly when he answered the door.

They stole a safe, some jewellery and a chihuahua before fleeing.

The dog’s owner, who does not wish to be named, spoke out now justice has been served.

MORE TOP STORIES The 38-year-old woman said: “Luckily me and my son weren’t home at the time.

“My little boy’s dad answered the door; when he did another two men jumped from round the corner.

“They started hitting and punching him and one pulled a knife out.”

During the raid one of their three chihuahuas, Gizmo, was stolen.

The mum said: “I couldn’t sleep, I kept having nightmares.”

Five weeks later after offering a £1,000 reward, she received a text saying Gizmo had been found in a park.

She added: “I went to pick him up from these two teenage girls. I nearly collapsed when I saw him, he was so skinny. He was just like a little carcass.

“I rushed him to the vet to put him on a drip.”

She spent hundreds of pounds on vet bills nursing him back to health, but confirmed she did not pay the ‘rescuers’ any reward money.

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Gizmo was returned home

She has since moved after the attack, and has installed CCTV in her new home, saying: “I just wanted to forget about the incident, it’s disgusting that someone would do that.

“It’s one thing burgling someone’s house but another thing taking their pet.”

Despite not recovering any of the other stolen items or finding the accomplices, she said she was satisfied justice had been served.

“I’m happy with the outcome, I’m hoping it makes people think twice before they go and do something like this.

“I just hope he finds it within himself - he’s got a little boy as well - how could he do that to people? My son went through hell.

“I just want him to do his time and if he’s got it in his heart think about his future in making a change.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said Smith was forensically linked to the crime scene and was arrested on April 10.

Smith was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.