A GRANDAD stole a 4ft snake from a pet shop after two animals he bought there died within days.

And yesterday, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, James Ramsay was fined £150 for the "bizarre" theft.

The court heard Ramsay bought a hamster from J&M Pets in Dumbarton Road for his grandchildren. It died days later.

The 53-year-old returned to the shop and bought a budgie as a replacement - but the bird also died shortly after.

Ramsay took the dead bird back to the shop for a refund, but it was closed when he arrived.

He kicked the door in anger, and when it came open, he went in and stole the rat snake and a can of dog food in revenge.

The court was told the owner of the shop returned to find the door lying open and the snake missing.

Ramsay, of Arthur Street, Glasgow, was traced through DNA found in the store. He admitted the theft, which took place on February 12.

He was angry about the pets dying and the upset it had caused to his grandchildren.

Sheriff Daniel Convery told Ramsay: "Bizarre though this offence was, it did cause nuisance to others."

The snake is believed to have been found by a shopper in a Partick Supermarket.