A thief stole a large bag of dog food from a woman’s porch - despite not owning a dog.

Stuart Turnbull told a court he acted out of “stupidity” after riding past on his bike and spotting the deliveries - including an Amazon box - at the home in Dover in January.

Ring doorbell footage showed the 30-year-old going into the porch, picking up the dog food and some dog treats, putting them on the saddle of his bike and walking off.

Turnbull, of no fixed address but from the Dover area, was located later the same day and arrested by officers.

When he was searched, a small amount of cannabis was found on him.

He was later charged and admitted theft of a postal packet and possession of cannabis when he appeared via video link at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Victoria Aked, prosecuting, said: “The woman that lived there sent away for the dog food. It’s a reoccurring order and it was a large bag which cost £39.89.

“She had also ordered some dog treats in a box from Amazon at a cost £22.98 and she was away for a few days.

“She has a porch, but it’s without a door - but the deliveries were safe from the elements.”

Ms Aked said at 12.30pm on January 31 the woman got a Ring doorbell notification on her phone of the deliveries arriving.

“Then later she got a second which showed [the defendant] at her front door,” the prosecutor said.

“He picked up both the bag of dog food and the treats and can then be seen putting them on the seat of his bike and walking away with them.

“The defendant was later seen in High Street, Dover, near the retail park and he was being monitored. Officers attended and he was searched and a small amount of cannabis bud - 1.5 grams - was found on him.”

Magistrates also heard the owner of the stolen items had been left anxious about the thefts as she could not immediately return home.

The prosecutor said Turnbull had previous convictions and that she was applying for £62.87 so the dog owner was not left out of pocket.

Defending himself, Turnbull said: “I wasn’t thinking of her. I am homeless and I went past and stupidity saw me take it. I’ve not even got a dog. It was stupid.

“I smoke cannabis at night. I just have a joint at night times.”

The court also heard Turnbull was currently in prison on remand awaiting a court appearance over separate matters.

Magistrates made a compensation order for the theft offence, telling Turnbull he must pay the victim £62.87 for the dog food and treats.

He received a six-month conditional discharge for cannabis possession, but the bench did order the drugs to be destroyed.