An Amazon delivery driver, described as ’embarrassed,’ has managed to avoid jail time after being caught on a doorbell camera stealing a cherished family cat.
Catalin Stancu, aged 42, was recorded by a Ring doorbell as he took Nora, a tabby cat, shortly after delivering a package in Elland, close to Halifax, West Yorkshire, on January 18.
The cat’s owner, 54-year-old Carl Crowther, was left feeling ‘disgusted’ when he reviewed the footage that revealed the reason behind his pet’s sudden disappearance.
Fortunately, the family was able to reunite with Nora after Stancu reached out a few hours later with a message stating, ‘Hello – I have your cat.’
After being missing for three days, Nora finally returned to her family on January 21.
Stancu, who resides in Oldham, Greater Manchester, was arrested and subsequently admitted to the theft of the cat, in violation of section 2 of the Pet Abduction Act 2024, during a hearing at Bradford Magistrates Court on March 26.
He was released on unconditional bail, before being sentenced today to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
Stancu was also handed 15 days’ community service and ordered to pay £500 in compensation.
Catalin Stancu, 42, has avoided prison after he was caught on a Ring doorbell carrying off Nora the tabby cat from a home in West Yorkshire
The delivery driver, seen on footage grabbing the cat, was handed a suspended prison term
Nora the tabby was taken from her family – but did not seem ‘phased’ by the incident, according to her owners
Dressed in a black suit, Stancu only spoke to confirm his name and address.
The court heard he was ’embarrassed’ and that he tried to contact the family on social media to give the cat back, but they didn’t answer him.
Stancu had three previous theft offences from 13 years ago. He is a single father to a 15-year-old son and also cares for his mother.
The court heard his son was allegedly bullied because of the video circulating on social media showing Stancu stealing the cat.
Carl’s wife, Sarah Sharpe, 52 and daughter, Kyla Sharpe, 18, were in attendance at the court.
Speaking previously at the time of Nora’s disappearance, the distraught maintenance man branded Stancu’s actions as ‘absolutely disgusting’.
He said: ‘He [Stancu] was there for over six minutes.
‘He comes right up the door, picks up the cat, turns around and walks off.’
Carl later confirmed that Nora did not seem ‘phased’ by the incident.
He added after being reunited with her on 21st January: ‘We are delighted, and very much relieved, that Nora is now back home.
‘She does not seem phased by the events of the past few days and is happily enjoying the extra treats and cuddles.
Kyla Sharpe, 18, was in court to see Stancu sentenced after he admitting stealing Nora
Stancu, seen delivering a package to the Crowther’s property, pleaded guilty to stealing a cat contrary to section 2 of the Pet Abduction Act 2024
In a victim impact statement read out in court at a previous hearing, the family said that the incident had left them not knowing what had happened to her cat or who had taken her.
They said: ‘For four days we were left in complete uncertainty and the emotional toll on our family was overwhelming.’
The Pet Abduction Act 2024, which came into force in England and Northern Ireland in August 2024, makes stealing a cat or dog a specific criminal offence, recognising them as sentient beings rather than just property.
Convicted offenders could face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
