Beast of Essex spotted (From Gazette)

Beast of Essex spotted

12:10pm Wednesday 12th April 2006 in Beast of Essex

The legendary Beast of Essex has been spotted prowling the streets of Colchester.

The beast, believed to be a panther, was spotted near the Severalls Hospital site in Mile End, Colchester.

It was eating a dead animal on Boxted Road before slinking away through a hedge and disappearing.

Elizabeth and David Baker were returning home to Nayland Court, Colchester, after visiting their daughter in Wivenhoe when they came across the infamous beast.

They had travelled a scenic route enjoying the evening sunshine and as they crossed the A12 near Severalls Hospital, they spotted the animal.

Mrs Baker said: "The roads were very quiet. In the distance, we saw a big animal between the hospital and the A12 in the middle of the road.

"It slinked to the side of the road and we slowed down. It looked and saw us and then went through a hedge.

"It was a dark animal and it didn't have a tail. It was a big animal with a long-legged body like a Great Dane. It had a thick-set body and was a cat-like animal, dark coloured with a big head as well."

This story was first published in This Is Essex on 25 April 2003