Niece charged over fake advert

New York: A woman has been charged in the United States with burglary and "first-degree malicious mischief" after placing a fake online advert that left her aunt's home stripped bare.

A posting on the online marketplace Craigslist read: "House being demolished. Come and take whatever you want, nothing is off limits. Items outside and garage will be open for access into house. Please help yourself to anything." It then gave the address in Washington.

When Laurie Raye returned home a week later she was horrified to find her house had been picked clean, with even the living room window, water heater and kitchen sink gone.

Her niece, Nicole Blackwell, 28, faces three charges after the ad was traced to a computer she had previously used to make postings on Craigslist.