Hamster-killing burglar jailed for four years
A man who killed two pet hamsters while ransacking the home of his former girlfriend's husband has been jailed.
Thomas Gilheaney, 39, of Birck Close, Workington broke into a house in the town in August, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
He killed the pets, spray painted the house, then went on to spray three other houses, a shop and vehicles.
He admitted two charges of burglary and seven of criminal damage. He was jailed for four years and four months.
Judge Paul Batty QC, at Carlisle Crown Court, said he had never encountered such "gratuitous damage".