A dog breeder was repeatedly punched in the face before thieves made off with a pedigree puppy worth £1,200.

The 44-year-old victim, who breeds Chihuahuas, was at home in Ellistown when Amos and Caroline Wilsher, of Good Friday Caravan Park, Heath Road, Coalville, came to see two puppies.

As they looked at the puppies, Amos (19) said he was going out for a cigarette. A moment later, Caroline (20) grabbed both puppies and went for the door.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said: "When the owner became suspicious, it was Amos Wilsher who used violence in order to effect the theft, while Caroline Wilsher ran off with one of the dogs.

"The victim says she was punched four times to the cheek area."

Police tracked the couple because they had called the victim's house from a payphone that was visible on CCTV footage.

At Leicester Crown Court, Amos admitted robbing the owner, on January 3.

He also pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall van in Belvoir Drive, Coalville, when disqualified and without insurance.

He further admitted theft of eight temporary traffic light batteries, worth £73 each, on August 12.

Caroline Wilsher admitted the theft of one of the dogs.

The case was adjourned for sentencing.

After the hearing, the victim said: "I'm praying the puppy they got is in a loving home. What makes me sad is not knowing where she is."