A burglar who admitted stealing a range of exotic stuffed animals including lions and a taxidermy 'chimp in a hat' has escaped jail.

Jason Hopwood, 47, of Romford, was sentenced to 21 months but a judge suspended it for two years on Wednesday and gave him 200 hours community service, after he admitted the unusual robbery.

Hopwood was part of a gang who stole 18 stuffed creatures - including lions, a zebra and a dressed up chimpanzee - as well as antiques worth £100,000 on March 1 last year.

The burglary involved the gang of thieves using angle grinders to break in to a warehouse at the Wimbledon Stadium Business Centre, London, before making off in Hopwood's van. Hopwood was later caught following a nationwide appeal.

Police who worked on the case said it was "not a random crime" and described the return of the items to their owner as "a truly unique and memorable experience".

DC Stuart Goss, Wandsworth CID, said: "Cataloguing and exhibiting the stolen items was a truly unique and memorable experience, and this is certainly an investigation which will stay with me for years to come."