Burglar spooked by victim’s cat in Widnes fled empty handed

A burglar who came face-to-face with his intended victim’s pet cat was so scared that he fled from the property empty handed, police have said.

Cheshire Police said Nexi “confronted” Callum Quirk after the career criminal sneaked into a house in McClellan Place, Widnes, through a downstairs window on 9 September.

As Nexi’s terrified owner dialled 999 while hiding in her wardrobe, the cat left the bedroom and ran into the hallway and came across a startled Quirk.

The 27-year-old, of Thirlmere Way in the town, was jailed for 35 months at Chester Crown Court after admitting burglary at a previous hearing.

Detectives used CCTV footage and forensics gathered at the scene before arresting Quirk.

He originally denied the offence but forensic work on a discarded can found at the scene matched his DNA.

Trainers seized from Quirk’s feet were also matched to the crime scene CCTV footage.

Detective Constable Stuart Beswick said: “This woman was terrified in her own home – a place where she should rightfully feel safe.

“This time he met his match in Nexi the cat. When confronted in the victim’s hallway Quirk ran scared from the property empty-handed.

“The bravery of Nexi is to be commended in this case and her actions most certainly stopped the victim having a terrifying confrontation with Quirk and kept her belongings safe from him.”

Nexi, 13, was adopted as a one-year-old by the victim in Dubai.