Cruel Catnapper Who Fought Deportation Sentenced

Caught On Camera: Cyrus

A cat thief suspected of deliberately coaxing two beloved pets into his car to be cruelly used as dog-fighting bait, has received twenty weeks imprisonment.

Carlos Cyrus, 30, brought kitty treats with him while prowling Surrey in a rented car, looking for pet cats.

He had recently been paroled from his latest custodial sentence for drugs and firearms offences when he brought heartbreak to the pet owners, who have not seen their cats since.

Cyrus, of Leeward House,
Southall previously pleaded guilty to stealing Tilly, 15, from owner Laura Hunt and Maisie, 17, from Jane McKeown in Chertsey on July 17 and 29.

He told Guildford Crown Court both cats were released at the end of their respective roads, but Surrey Police suspect he used the pets as bait in the illegal world of ferocious dog-fishing. 

Cyrus was convicted of a gang-related killing as a teenager, but successfully fought deportation to his mother’s native Jamaica.

The twenty week sentence will make no difference to his time behind bars because his parole was cancelled and he remains incarcerated at HMP Wandsworth until 2017.

Unfortunately, the court had no power to add a consecutive sentence.

The Crown Prosecution Service submitted an appropriate sentence for the offences is three-and-a-half years imprisonment, given the devastating effect the crimes have had on the cats’ owners and the pets themselves.

Sadly Gone: Tilly,15,

Laura’s Ring doorbell footage, which recorded Cyrus petting family cat Tilly outside her home before picking the moggie up and throwing her into his vehicle was vital in tracking him down.

Surrey Police visited several addresses associated with Cyrus and in one found more cat treats, plus suspicious animal antibiotics for wounds and infections.

The court heard Cyrus has convictions for twenty-one offences, including a seven-year sentence for manslaughter when he was twelve years-old.

He also has convictions for robbery and theft.

In April, 2021 he received six years imprisonment for possessing a handgun and drug supply.

He was paroled in March and arrested for the cat thefts after a probation appointment.

Cyrus’ Jamaican mother and Grenadian father had no legal status in this country when Cyrus was born and the Home Office attempted to deport him, but were defeated at the High Court in 2016.

He, his sister and his mother were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK in January, 2005.

Over two years later in December, 2007 London-born Cyrus received eight months youth detention for robbery; attempted robbery; two assaults and aggravated vehicle taking.

In January, 2009 he was convicted of the manslaughter of a rival gang member and received seven years.

He was released in August, 2011, but was twice recalled to custody for breaching parole.

In August, 2015 Cyrus was served with a deportation notice with one reason the Parole Board’s finding that he continued to pose a “high risk of harm to others.”

The following day he appealed, quoting the European Convention of Human Rights.