CPS charging statement on Brighton cat attacks

|News, Violent crime

South East District Crown Prosecutor Sally Lakin said: “Following a spate of attacks on cats in the Brighton area, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Sussex Police to charge Steven Bouquet with 16 charges of criminal damage, relating to attacks on 16 cats, nine of which were killed and seven were seriously injured. 

Why criminal damage is the appropriate charge

We carefully considered which charges would be the most appropriate in this case and concluded that the defendant should be charged with criminal damage.
This does not in any way detract from the seriousness of the offence or the great distress these incidents will have caused the owners of the cats. However, under current legislation, cats and other animals are deemed as property.
Prosecutors did consider whether to charge animal cruelty, but the circumstances of the case meant this was inappropriate, as the defendant is not the owner of the cats. In addition, animal cruelty is a summary-only offence and therefore would attract a lesser sentence than criminal damage.

Notes to editors

•    Steven Bouquet [DOB: 05/01/1967] is charged with 16 charges of criminal damage between 2 October 2018 and 1 June 2019. He is also charged with possession of a knife in a public place. 
•    The defendant is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 23 January. 

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