Crook trying to escape with 2ft garden gnome before falling head first through a fence

This is the hilarious moment a crook was caught on camera stealing a 2ft tall GNOME - before falling head first through a fence as he tried to make his escape.

Comical CCTV footage shows the man sneaking along a path at the side of a house before he reappears moments later carrying the garden ornament.

But the gnome appears to be too heavy for the green-fingered thief and he can then be seen toppling head first through a neighbour's trellis fence as he tries to flee the scene.