Bexleyheath man jailed for cat attack after suspended sentence

Bromley Magistrates’ Court sentenced Marian Gabriel Vasca to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a cat. The offence took place on 16 November 2025 at Hurst Road in Bexleyheath.

Vasca, 37, of Whitfield Road, was ordered to pay £1,152.54 in compensation to the cat’s owner. He must also pay a £154 surcharge to fund victim services by 18 September 2026. Failure to meet the deadline could result in further court action.

Five-year ban from keeping animals

The court disqualified Vasca from owning, keeping, or participating in the care of any animal for five years. This includes any arrangement where he could control or influence how animals are kept, as reported by News Shopper.

Vasca must also attend up to 15 days of rehabilitation activities. The RSPCA, which brought the case to court, did not specify the nature of these sessions. The charity confirmed the prosecution but did not provide further details on the rehabilitation programme.

Incident details and court findings

The attack on Nugget occurred on 16 November 2025. The court heard that Vasca either knew or should have known his actions would cause harm to the animal. The exact circumstances of the attack were not disclosed in the court report.

News Shopper reported that the injuries inflicted on Nugget were non-accidental. The cat’s owner was not named in the court documents or media reports.

What happens next

Vasca must comply with the payment deadlines and rehabilitation requirements. If he breaches the suspended sentence or the animal ownership ban, he could be returned to court for further penalties, including the activation of the prison term.

The RSPCA has not indicated whether it will monitor Vasca’s compliance with the court order. Residents who suspect a breach of the animal ownership ban can report concerns to the charity or local authorities.