Harry the hamster let loose at ex-girlfriend's house

A man broke into his ex-girlfriend's house and set free her hamster.

Andrew Walsh was reportedly so angry at the "emotional bond" his former flame, Julie Hanson, had with Harry the hamster that he busted his way into her home in Blackpool and deliberately released the tiny rodent from his cage, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.

Tracy Yates, who was prosecuting at Blackpool Magistrates' Court, said: "Walsh had repeatedly asked Julie Hanson to re-kindle their relationship.

"When he saw her at bingo she told him she was to stay at her mum's that night. The next day she found her front door broken in and the door to her hamster's cage was open.

"The hamster was missing and it is the Crown's case that Walsh was very much aware that she loved the hamster and had a string emotional tie to the animal which Walsh did not like."

Andrew admitted to burglary and was ordered to 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay a fine of £145.

Harry the hamster was found hiding under a rug in the house and is said to be safe and well.