A MAN accused of stealing three springer spaniels from a home in Chalford has failed to turn up to his court hearing.

A warrant has now been issued for Martin MacDonagh, aged 43, of Bradley Road in Patchway.

He was due to appear at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court yesterday but failed show.

MacDonagh had already pleaded not guilty in May to a charge of stealing the three dogs worth £5,000 in January of this year.

The charge is in relation to an incident on Wednesday 27 January, where three springer spaniels were allegedly stolen from padlocked kennels belonging to mobile Cheltenham racecourse farrier Scott Manson.

The three female dogs were seven-year-old Maddie, six-year-old Brandy and seven-month-old Harley.

One of the dogs, Brandy, was later found in Bristol and returned to the owner.

A Facebook page was set up after the theft with thousands of people having shared the appeal.