Black Cat Wheeled Into Court To Keep Nervous Owner Calm

Aiden Wiltshire reportedly stroked his beloved pet Taylor's head throughout the hearing.
A judge gave a black cat named Taylor (not pictured) permission to attend his owner's court hearing.
A judge gave a black cat named Taylor (not pictured) permission to attend his owner's court hearing.
valeria mameli/Getty Images

A black cat had his day in court after a judge allowed him to accompany his nervous owner into the dock.

Taylor -- of a notoriously unlucky color -- sat in a shopping cart to help keep Aiden Wiltshire, 72, calm as he faced stalking charges on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

He repeatedly popped his head out of the cart so his owner could pet him, reports the Harlow Star.

Gavin Burrell, Wiltshire's attorney, had asked Judge Charles Gratwicke for permission to wheel the cat into Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex, southeast England, to "emotionally support" his client, per the Essex Chronicle.

He said it was "a crutch which he relies on," according to the Herts and Essex Observer.

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

Gratwicke gave the go-ahead and is even reported to have joked, “don’t let the cat out of the bag,” when Wiltshire and Taylor left the courthouse, according to the BBC.

Wiltshire is accused of two stalking offenses dating between 2013 and 2015. He has not yet entered a plea, and his case is now adjourned until 2016, per ITV News.

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