Man jailed for five months for theft of pet cats

A man has been jailed for five months after admitting stealing two pet cats.

Carlos Cyrus, 30 and from Southall in London, admitted taking the animals from different addresses in Chertsey on two separate days in July.

Cyrus pleaded guilty to two charges of theft, and was sentenced to 20 weeks for each offence at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Neither of the stolen cats have been recovered.

Surrey Police said they were called to Abbey Road in Chertsey on 17 July, after a man driving a VW Golf had been seen on a video doorbell taking a cat from the street.

The second incident was reported in Stepgates Close, with neighbours describing the same car being driven erratically after the cat was put inside.

Cyrus was arrested on 30 July after officers reviewed CCTV and doorbell footage.

Detectives said he answered "no comment" during questioning, with the missing cats not found during searches of several addresses.

Insp Chris Thoday said: "The two stolen cats, Tilly and Maisie, were much loved members of their families and the callous theft and refusal by Cyrus to tell us where they are, demonstrates his blatant disregard for animals and their owners.

"We know that these incidents had a real impact on the local community, and we hope that our swift action in apprehending Cyrus reassures you that we take the thefts of animals seriously and will do what we can to pursue offenders.

"We would also like to thank everyone in the local community who came forward with information around this case, no matter how small it might have seemed. This sentencing would not have been possible without your help."

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