A "novelty gnome" led to the recovery of stolen goods after a police officer recognized the cheery little statue in the burglary suspect's home.

According to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Sean Thompson allegedly broke into the home of Clifford Taylor, ransacked the house and stole several items, including the gnome, which came from Australia.

At Thompson's recent appearance in Preston Crown Court, prosecutor Duncan Birrell said a police officer who visited Thompson about an unrelated matter saw a gnome on display in his home and made a note of it.

The next day, during a briefing, the officer heard about the burglary and received a list of stolen property. The gnome was on it.

Police put gnome and note together and arrested Thompson. A representative from the Blackburn police media office confirmed that Thompson was arrested on May 30 and charged with burglary and unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle.

Thompson's case was postponed until next month.