A MAN who smuggled a valuable giant tortoise from a Cornish sanctuary in a suitcase while on holiday, before selling it for thousands of pounds, has walked free from court.

Father-of-five Danny Stephen Woodley, 36, from North London, admitted stealing the seven-stone African Sulcata called Zeus and four smaller tortoises from the Tortoise Garden near St Austell on August 10.

He admitted charges of burglary other than a dwelling and theft regarding the stolen reptiles, which also included a rare South African leopard tortoise.

Yesterday, at Bodmin Magistrates Court, unemployed Woodley was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given 80 hours of unpaid community work with the stipulation he also attends a Think First offender rehabilitation programme.

The court heard Woodley sold the creatures and that they were worth a total of £6,000 – Zeus alone was worth £4,000.

Eventually Zeus ended up with tortoise enthusiast Karen Todd, from Sittingbourne, Kent, who had bought him from a pet shop for £1,250 but had no idea where came from.

She only realised the giant creature – who had been named Gorgeous George by shop staff – was in fact Zeus after seeing media reports of his theft.

Ms Todd informed police who contacted Tortoise Garden owner Joy Bloor. She travelled to Kent to identify Zeus and reclaimed him.

Woodley was arrested on August 20 and he admitted the thefts.

Prosecutor Alison May said: "He admitted to police he took them and said he'd been on holiday with his family at the time.

"He immediately told them how to get hold of the four other and tortoises and they were retrieved on August 21."

Chris Andrews, defending, said: "The crime was unusual. It's clearly a case that attracted interest because it's unusual.

"But he bitterly regrets his actions and apologises for what he's done."

Woodley was also ordered to pay £164.36 compensation to Mrs Bloor.

Sentencing Woodley, chairman of the bench David Pinn said: "We do regard the stress to the animals as a significant factor.

"The seriousness of the offence justifies a custodial sentence."

Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer DC Steve White, of Devon and Cornwall police, thanked the media for its role in the capture of Woodley.

He said: "This has been one of the more interesting and unusual cases I've been involved in.

"I want to thank the media for getting the information out to the public which led to the recovery of the animals and arrest of the suspect. But I would emphasise there are still stolen animals outstanding and the investigation continues."

Mrs Bloor said: "We never thought anyone would steal from us – we trusted everyone that came in. I appreciated the magistrates took in to consideration the tortoises are living animals and were subject to a lot of stress."