Cat Killer Caged: Ex-Security Guard Jailed for Brighton Cat Stabbings
A former security guard has been locked up for terrorising Brighton’s feline population in a chilling spate of night-time attacks.
Knife-Wielding Animal Abuser Strikes Nine Cats
Steve Bouquet, 55, was sentenced to five years at Hove Crown Court today after being found guilty of stabbing nine cats to death and wounding seven more. He faced 16 charges of criminal damage linked to the cats, plus possession of a knife.
Brutal Attacks Spanning Months
The cat assaults terrorised the city from October 2018 to May 2019. Each victim suffered horrific knife injuries.
Bouquet’s reign of terror came to an end after CCTV caught him in the act. Police found a knife at his home covered in cat blood and his DNA on the handle. His phone records placed him near many of the stabbing scenes during the frenzy.
CPS Condemns ‘Horrendous Suffering’
“This has been a tragic case for all the owners involved,” said Jayne Cioffi from the CPS. “Steve Bouquet inflicted horrendous suffering on each animal and caused real trauma to their owners, many of whom found their beloved pets injured and bleeding.”
She added, “Bouquet’s attempts to claim he was simply nearby when attacks happened were rightly dismissed by the jury, thanks to thorough investigation and prosecution.”
Poignant Police Probe and Prosecution
Sussex Police worked closely with experts to confirm the cats’ wounds were deliberate knife stabbings, not animal attacks. This expert analysis helped build the case that led to Bouquet’s conviction on multiple offences, including carrying a knife in public.
The CPS vows to relentlessly pursue those who commit cruelty against animals, ensuring justice for both pets and their owners.
