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Man charged over eight-month spate of attacks on cats in Brighton Man facing charges over spate of attacks on cats in Brighton
(about 1 hour later)
Steven Bouquet, 52, accused of criminal damage relating to the wounding or killing of 16 cats Steven Bouquet charged with criminal damage relating to wounding or killing of 16 cats
A man has been accused of attacking 16 cats, nine of which were killed, over the space of eight months in Brighton.A man has been accused of attacking 16 cats, nine of which were killed, over the space of eight months in Brighton.
Sussex police have charged 52-year-old security guard Steven Bouquet with 16 counts of criminal damage, relating to the wounding or killing of 16 cats between between 2 October 2018 and 1 June 2019. Sussex police charged Steven Bouquet, 52, a security guard, with 16 counts of criminal damage relating to the wounding or killing of 16 cats between between 2 October 2018 and 1 June 2019.
The charges come as part of Operation Diverge, the force’s investigation into a number of cat deaths in the city of Brighton and Hove. The charges are part of Operation Diverge, the force’s investigation into a number of cat deaths in the city of Brighton and Hove.
Bouquet, who has also been charged with possessing a knife in a public place, is due to appear at Brighton magistrates court on 23 January. Bouquet, who was also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, is due to appear at Brighton magistrates court on 23 January.
South East district crown prosecutor Sally Lakin said: “Following a spate of attacks on cats in the Brighton area, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 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. The South East district crown prosecutor, Sally Lakin, said: “Following a spate of attacks on cats in the Brighton area, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 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.
“The allegations relate to incidents which took place between 2 October 2018 and 1 June 2019. This is a complex case and this decision was made following a careful review of all of the evidence presented to us.”“The allegations relate to incidents which took place between 2 October 2018 and 1 June 2019. This is a complex case and this decision was made following a careful review of all of the evidence presented to us.”
The CPS said it had carefully considered which charges would be the most appropriate in the case and concluded that the defendant should be charged with criminal damage. The CPS said it had carefully considered which charges would be most appropriate in the case and concluded 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,” it said. “However, under current legislation, cats and other animals are deemed as property.” “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,” the CPS said. “However, under current legislation, cats and other animals are deemed as property.”
The charge of animal cruelty was thought inappropriate as the defendant was not the owner of the cats. It would also attract a lesser sentence than criminal damage.The charge of animal cruelty was thought inappropriate as the defendant was not the owner of the cats. It would also attract a lesser sentence than criminal damage.