THE judge has warned the Brighton Cat Killer that "there will be consequences" after he was found guilty of all counts.

Steve Bouquet, 54, from Rose Hill Terrace, was on trial accused of killing nine cats and injuring seven more in a string of attacks in the city that left police stumped.

Jurors retired at 12.25pm this afternoon and returned their verdict about three hours later.

READ MORE: Cat Killer is found GUILTY on all charges 

His Honour Judge Jeremy Gold QC described the attacks as very unpleasant and said they had a significant impact on the owners who relied on their cats for companionship and comfort.

He said: “I suggest it is only really during lockdown it has been particularly clear how much many of us who have pets rely on them for companionship and comfort and one can only imagine the distress that was caused to the owners of those various cats in this case at the very thought of having a knife plunged into their beloved pet.

"The very thought of having a knife plunged into their beloved pet is a serious matter.

"I take a very serious view of this case.

"There will be consequences," the judge said.

Police were baffled and The Brighton Cat Killer was an invisible man until he was revealed by a single error, the court heard.

Rowan Jenkins for the prosecution said: “Great care was taken by Mr Bouquet to be and remain the invisible man.

“There were no clues left at all and nobody witnessed the attacks, which often happened after the hours of darkness,” Mr Jenkins said.

“But on May 31, 2019, he made a mistake.

“He made a single mistake but that was all that was needed to expose him.”

A camera fixed to the outside of the house where another victim lived picked up a man attacking a cat called Hendrix.