Delivery driver caught stealing cat on door camera in West Yorkshire could face five years in jail
Doorbell footage shows the moment a delivery driver walked off with a West Yorkshire family’s cat while dropping off a parcel.
A delivery driver who was spotted stealing a cat while dropping off a parcel in West Yorkshire could be facing up to five years in jail.
Catalin Stancu, 42, was captured on a ring doorbell camera stealing tabby cat Nora from outside a home in Elland on 18 January.
Owner Carl Crowther, 53, was left "disgusted" when he discovered footage on his doorbell camera. After an extensive appeal on social media, Carl and his family were reunited with Nora three days later on 21 January.
Stancu was later arrested and pleaded guilty to stealing a cat contrary to section 2 of the Pet Abduction Act 2024 at Bradford Magistrates Court on 26 March. He was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear at the court for sentencing on 14 May.
Carl, a maintenance man, said at the time of Nora's disappearance: "It was absolutely disgusting. He was there for over six minutes. He comes right up the door, picks up the cat, turns around and walks off."
Carl, who originally spoke to Sell Us Your Story, later confirmed that Nora did not seem "fazed" by the incident.
He added after being reunited with her on 21 January: "We are delighted, and very much relieved, that Nora is now back home. She does not seem fazed by the events of the past few days and is happily enjoying the extra treats and cuddles.”
According to the Sun, the family said in a victim impact statement read out in court that they were left in "complete uncertainty."
It said: "For four days we were left in complete uncertainty and the emotional toll on our family was overwhelming."
The court also heard Stancu could be sentenced to up to five years in jail for the crime.