Stephen Rodney Bouquet (5 January 1967 – 5 January 2022), also known as the Brighton Cat Killer, was a British criminal who was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for killing nine cats, maiming seven more, possession of a knife in a public place and failing to answer

bail Bail is a set of pre-trial restrictions that are imposed on a suspect to ensure that they will not hamper the judicial process. Court bail may be offered to secure the conditional release of a defendant with the promise to appear in court when ...

. These attacks occurred in

Brighton Brighton ( ) is a seaside resort in the city status in the United Kingdom, city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England, south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age Britain, Bronze Age, R ...

East Sussex East Sussex is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Kent to the north-east, West Sussex to the west, Surrey to the north-west, and the English Channel to the south. The largest settlement ...

, England from October 2018 to June 2019. In January 2022, Bouquet died of cancer in prison.

Background

During the time period of the incidents, Bouquet was employed as a security guard at a shopping centre in Brighton. Bouquet was a military

veteran A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces. A topic o ...

, having served for twenty-two years achieving the rank of

warrant officer Warrant officer (WO) is a Military rank, rank or category of ranks in the armed forces of many countries. Depending on the country, service, or historical context, warrant officers are sometimes classified as the most junior of the commissioned ...

in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

and was stationed in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

and

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

Hendrix attack

Mr. Levy, owner of a previously killed cat, had set-up a

closed-circuit television Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of closed-circuit television cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signa ...

(CCTV) outside in the narrow alley connecting Church Street and North Road in Brighton to monitor the area. On 31 May 2019, the CCTV system captured Stephen Bouquet bending over to stroke a nine-month old kitten named Hendrix, then removing a knife from his rucksack and stabbing Hendrix, who fled to his owner's home. Stewart Montgomery, the owner of Hendrix, found him bleeding profusely and took him to a vet, but Hendrix died from his wounds.

Sussex Police Sussex Police are the territorial police force responsible for policing in the whole of Sussex. Their jurisdiction covers the ceremonial counties of East Sussex and West Sussex. Their headquarters are in Malling House, Lewes, East Sussex. Hi ...

advised that the CCTV video was the evidence required to identify Bouquet as the Brighton Cat Killer.

Arrest and criminal charges

On 2 June 2019, just two days after the Hendrix incident, Mr. Levy saw Bouquet in the area again on his live CCTV, and contacted the Sussex Police. Bouquet was promptly arrested; he was carrying a

Leatherman Leatherman is an American brand of multi-tool made by Leatherman Tool Group of Portland, Oregon. The company was founded in July 1983 by Timothy S. Leatherman and Steve Berliner in order to market the former's idea of a capable, easily p ...

multi-tool A multi-tool (or multitool) is a hand tool that combines several individual functions in a single unit. The smallest are credit-card or key sized units designed for carrying in a wallet or on a keyring, but others are designed to be carried ...

. During police questioning Bouquet denied harming any cats, stating that "I'm no threat to animals ..I have no issues with cats, dogs or anything like that". The Sussex Police obtained a

search warrant A search warrant is a court order that a magistrate or judge issues to authorize Police, law enforcement officers to conduct a Search and seizure, search of a person, location, or vehicle for evidence of a crime and to Confiscation, confiscate an ...

for Bouquet's home on Rose Hill Terrace and for his

mobile phone A mobile phone or cell phone is a portable telephone that allows users to make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while moving within a designated telephone service area, unlike fixed-location phones ( landline phones). This rad ...

. The mobile phone contained several images of the cats he had attacked, both alive and dead. Sussex Police also analyzed Bouquet’s computer data in which they discovered a history of explicit videos showing dogs killing cats. In addition, the mobile phone data placed Bouquet at or near the scene of the cat attacks at almost the same time. A knife was found in the kitchen with a residue of cat's blood on the blade and Bouquet's

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid (; DNA) is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of al ...

on the handle. The Sussex Police were able to obtain enough evidence to charge Bouquet with the killing by stabbing with a knife of nine cats: Nancy, Ollie, Alan, Tommy, Cosmo, Hendrix, Hannah, Kyo and Gizmo. In addition, Bouquet administered knife stab wounds to another seven cats: Wheatley, Alistair, Rigby, Gideon, Samson, Jasper and Maggie. These sixteen incidents occurred in Brighton, East Sussex, between October 2018 and June 2019. The authorities believe that Bouquet may have been responsible for over forty cat attacks in Brighton. The Sussex Police laid sixteen charges of

criminal damage Property damage (sometimes called damage to property) is the damage or destruction of real or tangible personal property, caused by negligence, willful destruction, or an act of nature. Destruction of property (sometimes called property dest ...

English law English law is the common law list of national legal systems, legal system of England and Wales, comprising mainly English criminal law, criminal law and Civil law (common law), civil law, each branch having its own Courts of England and Wales, ...

deems cats to be property. In addition, one charge of possession of a knife in a public place was laid.

Trial

On 22 June 2021, at the

Chichester Crown Court Chichester Crown Court is a Crown Court venue in Southgate, Chichester, West Sussex, England. The court is administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. History The first incarnation of the building was completed in 1940 and was estimated ...

the criminal trial by

jury A jury is a sworn body of people (jurors) convened to hear evidence, make Question of fact, findings of fact, and render an impartiality, impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a sentence (law), penalty or Judgmen ...

with Judge Jeremy Gold QC presiding was held. Bouquet failed to appear for the court hearing and was

tried in absentia Trial in absentia is a criminal proceeding in a court of law in which the person being tried is not present. is Latin for "in (the) absence". Its interpretation varies by jurisdiction and legal system. In common law legal systems, the phrase i ...

. Jurors at the trial heard numerous shocked owners found their cats bleeding and dying on their doorsteps. The Crown Prosecutor advised the jury of the sixteen cat attacks, as follows: Bouquet was convicted of all sixteen counts of criminal damage and possession of a knife in a public place.

Failing to answer bail

Bouquet failed to answer bail. The Sussex Police eventually located and apprehended Bouquet based on a tip from a member of the public that observed him drinking

alcohol Alcohol may refer to: Common uses * Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds * Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life ** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages ** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...

and displaying odd behaviour at a park in Brighton.

Sentencing

On 12 July 2021, judge Jeremy Gold QC presided over the sentencing hearing at

Hove Crown Court Hove Trial Centre is a Crown Court venue, which deals with criminal cases, as well as a magistrates' court in Lansdowne Road, Hove, England. History For much of the 20th century, criminal court hearings in Hove took place in the old Town Hall. ...

. Bouquet's lawyer advised the Court that Bouquet had served in the Royal Navy for twenty-two years and might suffer from

post-traumatic stress disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that develops from experiencing a Psychological trauma, traumatic event, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, warfare and its associated traumas, natural disaster ...

. In addition, the Court was advised that Bouquet had been diagnosed with

thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer is cancer that develops from the tissues of the thyroid gland. It is a disease in which cells grow abnormally and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can include swelling or a lump in the neck, ...

, which had spread to his liver and lungs. The judge stated that Bouquet's behaviour was "cruel, it was sustained and it struck at the very heart of family life. It is important that everyone understands that cats are domestic pets but they are more than that. They are effectively family members. They are much loved by the adults and children who live with and care for them. Cats and all domestic animals are a source of joy and support to their owners, especially during OVID-19lockdown." He sentenced Bouquet to five years for

, i.e., the cat killings, three months for possession of a knife in a public place, to be served concurrently, and three months for failing to answer

, to be served an aggregate prison sentence to be served of five-years and three-months. Judge Gold stated that Bouquet's criminal actions were "appalling", that the impact on the owners and their families was "considerable and grave", and that "no explanation for ouquet'sbehaviour has been put forward, but hen againno sensible explanation could be advanced".

Charges in full

* "May 31, 2019, criminal damage to property at Crown Gardens, Brighton, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat named Hendrix belonging to Stewart Montgomery, valued at £1,663." * "October 14, 2018, criminal damage to property at Trafalgar Terrace, Brighton, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Alistair belonging to Stewart Cruse, valued at £2,421." * "October 2 2018, criminal damage to property at Crown Gardens, Brighton, damaged property, namely a cat named Wheatley belonging to Andrea Williams, value unknown." * "October 31, 2018, criminal damage at Stafford Road, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Rigby belonging to Penny Vessey, valued at £915." * "November 18, 2018, criminal damage at Ditchling Rise, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Samson belonging to Seanin Mouland, valued at £7,500." * "October 11, 2018, criminal damage at Crown Gardens, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Hannah belonging to Marianna Penturo, valued at £150." * "February 4, 2019, criminal damage at North Gardens, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Alan belonging to Katerine Mattock, valued at £135." * "Between February 12 and 13, 2018, criminal damage at Rugby Road, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Jasper belonging to David Perry, valued at £2,140." * "March 18, 2019, criminal damage at Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Nancy belonging to Jeff Carter, valued at £3,214." * "March 27, 2019, criminal damage at Ditchling Rise, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Gizmo belonging to Emma O’Sullivan, valued at £384." * "May 2, 2019, criminal damage at Rugby Road, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Kyo belonging to Paul Tofts, value unknown." * "May 5, 2019, criminal damage at Rugby Road, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Ollie belonging to Sarah McKenzie , valued at £384." * "June 1, 2019, criminal damage at Port Hall Place, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, destroyed property, namely a cat called Cosmo belonging to Lucy Kenward, valued at £5,056." * "June 1, 2019, criminal damage at Coventry Street, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Maggie belonging to Claire Smith, valued at £4,862." * "November 5, 2018, criminal damage at Trafalgar Terrace, Brighton, damaged property, without lawful excuse, damaged property, namely a cat called Gideon belonging to Tina Randall, valued at £1,623."

Death

While Bouquet was serving his sentence at the HM Prison Elmley he was receiving

end-of-life care End-of-life care is health care provided in the time leading up to a person's death. End-of-life care can be provided in the hours, days, or months before a person dies and encompasses care and support for a person's mental and emotional needs, phy ...

for

, when he experienced symptoms of coughing and breathing difficulties.The Brighton Cat Killer Dies from Covid-19 in Prison, Citing Natural Causes
/ref>
/ref> ttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/31/brighton-cat-killer-stephen-bouquet-died-from-covid-19-inquest-finds Guardian: Brighton cat killer Stephen Bouquet died from Covid-19, inquest finds/ref> Bouquet was transferred from prison and admitted to the Medway Maritime Hospital where he tested positive for

Covid-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

on 28 December 2021. Despite receiving medical care, including

antibiotic An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting pathogenic bacteria, bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the therapy ...

s and oxygen, his condition worsened. At an inquest in

Maidstone Maidstone is the largest Town status in the United Kingdom, town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, l ...

Kent Kent is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Essex across the Thames Estuary to the north, the Strait of Dover to the south-east, East Sussex to the south-west, Surrey to the west, and Gr ...

Coroner A coroner is a government or judicial official who is empowered to conduct or order an inquest into the manner or cause of death. The official may also investigate or confirm the identity of an unknown person who has been found dead within th ...

Patricia Harding stated that Bouquet died on 5 January 2022, of natural causes from

pneumonitis Pneumonitis describes general inflammation of lung tissue. Possible causative agents include radiation therapy of the chest, exposure to medications used during chemo-therapy, the inhalation of debris (e.g., animal dander), aspiration, herbicide ...

and a secondary cause of

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. GOLD defines COPD as a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory s ...

(COPD). The coroner advised that Bouquet had been extremely frail, experienced poor mobility and was vulnerable to infection. The coroner concluded that the officials at HM Prison Elmley followed national guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. The coroner expressed condolences to Bouquet’s brother and apologised for the length of time it took to reach a conclusion due to the ongoing impact of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

Documentary

On 8 June 2022, the first broadcast of the ITV documentary "''How to Catch a Cat Killer''" was broadcast. A spokesperson for Sussex Police stated that "An ITV documentary highlighting the successful Sussex Police investigation into the death of nine cats in Brighton will be aired this week. The ITV documentary will follow the complex and thorough investigation from the first reports being received in late 2018 through to sentencing in September 2021. It will show the breakthrough moment in May 2019 when CCTV captured Bouquet stabbing nine-month-old Hendrix in a passageway in Brighton, and his subsequent police interviews following arrest." After the ITV documentary was aired, some viewers felt upset and disturbed, believing the documentary should not have been broadcast.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bouquet, Stephen 1967 births 2018 in England 2019 in England 2022 deaths Prisoners who died from COVID-19 Animal cruelty incidents Cat killers Cats in England Crime in Brighton and Hove Criminals from Sussex Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in England English male criminals English people who died in prison custody Felids and humans 21st century in Brighton and Hove People from Brighton Prisoners and detainees of England and Wales Prisoners who died in England and Wales detention Trials in England People convicted of cruelty to animals