A tiny Yorkshire terrier that was snatched from a child outside a New Addington supermarket has been reunited with its owner exactly five months later.

Beloved pet Jessie was stolen from outside the Lidl in Parkway in December as she waited with Monika Nowak's 10-year old son Niko.

The boy was approached by a man who asked if he could pet the dog - before the heartless thief picked up Jessie and ran off towards Central Parade.

RELATED: 'Tiny Yorkshire Terrier' stolen from children outside New Addington Lidl

Speaking to the Croydon Guardian after Jessie was stolen, Ms Nowak - who bought the puppy for youngest son Nathan after he underwent major heart surgery -said she just wanted the person responsible to “bring her back”

She added: "My heart is broken. She is like my baby."

After months of torment and a police appeal, today her wish was fulfilled: Jessie has been found "well" but "dirty and stinky" by a passer-by in South Norwood.

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Jessie was found by a passerby in South Norwood

Ms Novak's boys "could not believe it" when they arrived home from school today to find Jessie back at home, her mother-in-law Terri Dorman said.

Ms Dorman added: "Nathan told his puppy that no one was ever going to hurt or take her away again and he would protect her. Jessie was pleased to see them and has tired herself out playing.

"We are so happy, a lovely happy ending and we're grateful to Paxton Vet Practice and the family that found her and took her to the vets after bathing and feeding her overnight."

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Earlier today, Ms Dorman posted on Facebook: "Oh we have cried buckets! She is well but was dirty and stinky when a passer by took her in and then to the vets. She was found in South Norwood which is not that far from where she was stolen.

"Her nails are very long but nothing major. I can't wait to see the children's faces when they get home from school."

Jessie's microchip had been scanned by a vet to confirm her identity, said Ms Dormer.

She also thanked people who had helped look for the pup since her disappearance on December 4 last year.

RELATED: Do you know this man? Police want to speak to him after a dog was stolen from a child outside New Addington Lidl 

In February the Metropolitan Police released an image of the man they were looking for in connection with Jessie's disappearance.

He is thought to be aged between 18 and 22 years old with brown hair, and was wearing dark clothes with white trainers at the time of the theft.

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