A tall tail or is it a prowling panther? (From This Is Local London)

A tall tail or is it a prowling panther?

12:27pm Tuesday 8th October 2002

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The Plumstead panther has been spotted just yards from the scene of a sighting made three weeks ago but this time it was caught on camera.

Steve Gardiner, 41, claims to have spotted the large cat in his garden in Upton Road, Plumstead, in the sixth reported sighting in Woolwich and Bexley in just four weeks.

Mr Gardiner told News Shopper he watched the big cat as it walked alongside the house at about 7.15am, on Wednesday, September 25, while his security cameras captured it on film.

The father-of-four described the black cat as about 3ft long and two-and-a-half-foot high, with a large body.

He said: "It prowled past the patio doors moving with all the mannerisms of a hunter.

"It looked at me calmly before moving on."

The bricklayer told how his work colleagues let him know News Shopper had been following the big cat story so he decided to call our offices with news of the sighting.

His wife, Karen, 41, later checked the tape which had captured grainy images of the large cat prowling through their garden.

She said: "I feel sorry for it not living in its natural habitat I'd hate for it to get hurt."

Mr Gardiner told how he is convinced of the cat's existence saying how their usually quiet 18-year-old dog barks at "nothing" in the garden but barked that morning.

He warned: "I don't think these cats are dangerous but, if cornered, they might jump you."

Sightings of the large black cat are being reported all over the Plumstead Common and Shooters Hill as well at the Bexley area.

If you have seen the big cat, call News Shopper on 01689 885712.

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