A RESCUE cat has been caught red-handed repeatedly stealing from neighbours' houses - bringing baby grows, vests and tea towels back through the cat flap

Owner Rachel Ward, 36, was surprised when her one-year-old black cat, Marvin, came trotting in with a pair of black socks on last month and she wondered where he got them.

But it wasn't a one-off, and cat burglar Marvin was soon bringing her back clothes each day after presumably sneaking through neighbouring windows.

Rachel has lived on the same street in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, North Wales, for 11 years and says her neighbours have seen the funny side.

She has even captured Marvin on camera - sneaking in through the cat flap with his haul in his mouth.

Rachel, a nurse, said: "When I got home from work there would be new items on the floor.

"Sometimes he comes in and makes a noise almost to say that he is pleased with himself after stealing items from this person's house.

"After he bought all that into the house, I decided to put it all on Facebook and most people find it funny."

Rachel has five cats in total - Alfie, Rupert, Arthur and Amber - and says they behave "normally" unlike Marvin who stands out from the rest.

Marvin, named after Marvin from Home Alone, has managed to sneak through neighbours' windows and steal clothes - which he surprises Rachel with when she is home from work.

Rachel found Marvin presenting her with his stolen goods "strange" and "confusing" at first.

She said: "My reaction was that I thought it was a one-off.

"I didn't know how Marvin was getting all these items until I saw him on camera and I was amazed."

Rachel's neighbour recently became aware of this situation when Rachel posted the items on Facebook that she rea her grandchildren's clothes had gone missing.

Luckily, she found the funny side to Marvin's actions and has started to welcome Marvin and Rachel's other cats into her home.

Rachel said: "One of my other cats has been going to the same house but doesn't steal things from them - like Marvin does.

"She thought it was hilarious and I have now given back the items that Marvin stole from her."

What Marvin has stolen -

  • 12 socks
  • One bib
  • Baby grows
  • A tea towel
  • Kid's jumper