Masked armed burglars raided a remote Norfolk kennels in a bid to steal back their dogs which were being kept there.

The three men, one armed with an air rifle, attempted to break into Ocobo Kennels near Shouldham Thorpe, between Downham Market and Marham.

The owner of the kennels was shot as he investigated after seeing people wearing balaclavas entering the premises after dark on CCTV.

The owner was shot during the break-in at the isolated kennelsThe owner was shot during the break-in at the isolated kennels (Image: Google)

Norwich Crown Court heard the raid, in October 2019, occurred two days after the four lurcher-style dogs had been seized by police over illegal hunting on land at nearby Sandringham. 

A GPS tracker on the collar of one of the dogs led the men, who were from Kent, to the isolated kennels in rural Norfolk where they were being looked after.

READ MORE: Kent burglars admit Norfolk dog kennels attempted break-in

John Clarke, 34, Levi Coates, 25, and Riley Scamp, 31, broke locks to gain access and clambered on the roof of dog pens. 

Confronting the terrified owner, who lives beside the business, they demanded: “Where are the lurchers?” 

Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said: “This incident was extremely frightening. A group of masked men in the night had come to get dogs that had been seized by police as part of an investigation into illegal activity. 

“On top of that a firearm was fired, hitting the owner who fortunately was not seriously injured but could have been.” 

John Clarke and Levi Coates leaving courtJohn Clarke and Levi Coates leaving court (Image: Newsquest)

Since then, the owner has spent thousands of pounds on extra security at the kennels, he added. 

Coates, a roofer from Hextable near Swanley in Kent, and Scamp, formerly of Faversham but currently serving a lengthy jail sentence for his involvement in a car theft ring, had previously pleaded guilty to attempted burglary.

Clarke, also of Hextable, admitted attempted burglary and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

READ MORE: Norfolk and Kent men cleared of involvement in hare coursing

Judge Anthony Bate sentenced all three to 15 months but suspended the jail terms of Coates and Clarke for 18 months saying the lengthy delay in bringing charges was a “significant mitigating factor”. 

The men were attempting to steal lurchers seized by police over suspected hare coursing at SandringhamThe men were attempting to steal lurchers seized by police over suspected hare coursing at Sandringham (Image: Newsquest)

The court was told the men had been arrested following investigation into a distinctive orange Peugeot seen repeatedly driving slowly past the kennels before the break-in.

When Clarke was arrested he was found with a balaclava while phone records linked him to the others and to trips from Kent to Norfolk.

Messages on a WhatsApp group officers accessed also included one stating: “I know where the dogs are. Got a GPS tag.”

Oliver Kelham, for Clarke, said: “This was a foolish, amateurish, bundled attempt to recover a beloved family dog.”

In mitigation, it was claimed Scamp was unaware a weapon would be used and that Coates had made a "stupid decision" to get involved.