English judge allows elderly defendant to bring cat to court

CHELMSFORD, England, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A judge in England allowed an elderly defendant to bring his cat to court in order to calm his nerves.

Seventy-two-year-old Aiden Wiltshire was allowed to wheel his black cat Taylor into Chalmsford Crown Court in a shopping cart, as he faced two counts of stalking.

"It's a crutch which he relies on. It's in a basket and not roaming free," Judge Charles Gratwicke said of the cat, which made an earlier appearance in court rested around Wiltshire's neck.

Wiltshire was seen stroking the cat's head at times during the trial and while Gratwicke admitted the oddity of Taylor's presence, he stood by his decision to allow the cat in the courtroom.

"I appreciate it sounds somewhat odd, but there's documentary evidence that the cat does provide emotional support for the defendant to cope."

No pleas were entered in the case, which was adjourned until the new year.

After the trial Gratwicke gave Wiltshire a parting message saying, "Don't let the cat out of the bag."