A 27-year-old Bradford man has been found guilty of stealing a pet dog which died after being thrown off a viaduct.

Gary Marshman, of Buttershaw, had previously denied any involvement in the death of the 12-year-old arthritic dog, called Jess.

But magistrates in Dewsbury yesterday convicted him of stealing Jess (pictured), who was taken from outside Tesco in Northgate, Cleckheaton.

Her 77-year-old owner, Ron Bisby (above), had left her tied up while he was shopping at the store in January last year.

Marshman was seen on CCTV leading the dog away across the store’s car park.

Jess was thrown 60 feet off a viaduct and was found dead two days later in the River Spen.

A single white hair was found on Marshman’s jacket and it was confirmed as a DNA match for the family pet.

Marshman will be sentenced at a later date.