Charge over theft of zoo tortoise

The tortoise was taken in December

Police in Devon say a woman has been charged with handling a tortoise allegedly stolen from a zoo last year.

The 26-year-old, from Paignton, will appear before Torbay Magistrates on 16 March to face a charge of handling stolen property.

A man aged 31 arrested in connection with the theft has been released from police bail without charge.

Sammy, an eight-year-old leopard tortoise, disappeared during a raid on Paignton Zoo on 17 December.

The 1ft-long creature was snatched after a perimeter fence at the zoo was cut.

He was eventually found in a dog basket at a house in Paignton, and was identified by a microchip fitted into his shell.