INVESTIGATORS and a police dog helped put thief Stephen Palmer behind bars.

He was jailed for four months on Monday after a raid on the Toby Carvery pub on Ponteland Road in Newcastle on Saturday.

Palmer, 22, forced entry to the restaurant just after 2.30am and swiped a laptop before fleeing the scene on foot.

But the break-in activated the alarm and police were on scene in less than six minutes before quickly tracking him down.

He was arrested and found to be in possession of a haul of other suspected stolen goods.

Police dog Hector was able to locate the laptop discarded nearby.

Palmer, of Moorview Crescent, Newcastle, was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods and appeared before magistrates sitting at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday morning.

He was jailed for four months by the judge – just 48 hours after the call about the burglary was made to police.

Police have thanked all partners across the criminal justice system, including the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts for helping to bring the offender to justice so swiftly.

Police said: "Hopefully this swift action reassures you that we are committed to putting burglars before the courts and safeguarding your property."