A man who threatened a dog owner with the chilling words “stop me and I’ll do you” before stealing a puppy in broad daylight has finally admitted to the crime — five years after it happened.
Francis Zeta, 38, of Muir Road, Hackney, was handed a suspended sentence at Croydon Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to robbery. Despite the serious nature of the offence, Zeta avoided prison due to his deteriorating health from advanced sickle cell disease.
Puppy Robbery Shocks Community
The robbery occurred on March 3, 2020, when a man in his 30s was walking his weeks-old British bulldog puppy, Spot, in Orpington. He noticed two men watching him from a white Mercedes, later found to be owned by Zeta. After spotting the car again on Wesley Road, one of the men retrieved what looked like a knife from the boot.
Fearing an attack, the dog owner ran with Spot but was chased down by Zeta, who threatened him and forcibly snatched the puppy before speeding off.
“Stop me and I’ll do you,” Zeta said during the robbery, leading the victim to fear for his life.
Spot Found — But Traumatised
The stolen puppy was found the next day wandering the streets of Harlow, Essex, with minor injuries but visibly traumatised. Spot was returned to his owner, but both the dog and the family were left with lasting emotional scars.
“I still get nightmares about what happened,” the victim said in a powerful impact statement. “I don’t think Spot will ever be the same again… he doesn’t like people with face coverings or black bin bags.”
Arrest and Delayed Justice
Zeta was arrested just two days after the incident, but the case was repeatedly delayed due to his poor health, failure to attend court, and denial of the charges. He claimed for years that a lookalike had taken his car and committed the robbery. It wasn’t until the first day of his trial on April 7, 2025, that he finally pleaded guilty.
He admitted to making a threat of violence but denied carrying a knife, a claim accepted by the prosecution.
Court’s Decision
Despite the seriousness of the offence, Judge Antony Dunne opted not to jail Zeta, citing medical reports showing his condition had worsened over the past decade and his prognosis was poor.
“Your illness means that imprisonment would be significantly more difficult for you than for a healthy person,” the judge said. “You now walk with a frame and I do not believe you pose a risk of committing further offences of this kind.”
The sentence was suspended, meaning Zeta will remain in the community under strict conditions.
The second man involved in the robbery has never been identified.
If you have any information about unsolved crimes in your area, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
